PhD Studentship - Understanding Changes in Wellbeing at Work through the Lens of Adaptation Theory

Wellbeing at work is a dynamic construct and to foster wellbeing in organizations, we need to understand how it evolves and identify its change trajectories. However, there is a scarcity of theories in Work and Organizational Psychology that explain how wellbeing at work develops. This omission limits our understanding of the dynamic nature of wellbeing at work. Adaptation Theory (AT) from Personality Psychology offers insights into this. It suggests that both positive and negative experiences influence wellbeing levels, however, AT also suggests that after some time and once individuals have adapted to the new situation, they return to their baseline wellbeing level.

The goal of this project is to determine whether AT can explain daily fluctuations in wellbeing at work. The project will use a mixed methods approach. IDOCAL researchers have conducted a diary study, collecting data from 129 workers across ten consecutive workdays, measuring wellbeing both before and after work each day. The day reconstruction method was employed to locate significant work-related events influencing wellbeing trajectories. The selected candidate will investigate how personality traits, coping mechanisms, and job resources affect these trajectories using discontinuous growth modelling and/or other appropriate statistical analyses.

Additionally, the student will conduct a qualitative interview study to understand the contextual factors and the underlying mechanisms behind trajectories identified in the diary study. Thematic analysis will be used to analyse this data. Key skills required are knowledge of qualitative methods and advanced knowledge of quantitative research methods and experience of work psychology.

The successful candidate is offered a unique opportunity to work on a fully funded PhD project in collaboration with the Research Institute of Personnel Psychology, Organizational Development and Quality of Working Life (IDOCAL), University of Valencia and the Sheffield University Management School. The PhD student will gain experience conducting statistical analyses using an existing dataset and conduct all phases of a qualitative study (recruitment, data collection, and qualitative analyses, as well as using theoretical frameworks for mixed methods approaches) collaboratively with the IDOCAL team and Sheffield.

The PhD student leading the project will spend up to 12 months at the University of Valencia, collaborating with the IDOCAL team. They will have access to necessary resources including libraries, computing facilities, and support services. They will participate in the Centre’s activities, have access to the existing quantitative data sets, and be supported for fieldwork for the qualitative part of the study.

This scholarship lies within the research centre the Institute of Work Psychology (IWP). For informal enquiries, please contact the first supervisor Professor Karina Nielsen on k.m.nielsen@sheffield.ac.uk.

This is a fully funded 3.5 year studentship covering Home or International tuition fees, and a stipend of £19,237. To support the international dimension of this project an enhanced  research and training support grant of £7,250 is available to support research costs. Applicants are required to develop a project proposal of 3000 words and are welcome to contact the first supervisor in advance to discuss their ideas. Details about entry requirements and how to apply here can be found on the Management School website here:- www.sheffield.ac.uk/management/phd/scholarships.

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