Other- (vs. Self-) Oriented Meaning Interventions Enhance Momentary Work Engagement Through Changes in Work Meaningfulness

We tested whether a short, online meaning intervention boosts momentary work engagement (MWE) through an increase in perceived work meaningfulness. In Study 1 (N = 227), employees who were asked to write why their work was meaningful subsequently experienced higher work meaningfulness and higher MWE compared to a control group. Work meaningfulness mediated the relationship between the intervention and MWE. Study 2, conducted among employees (N = 254), found that writing about how one's work serves a greater good (vs. how it advances personal career, vs. control) led to an increase in work meaningfulness, which consequently predicted MWE. The research examines a new tool to enhance work meaningfulness that can be easily and widely applied and that provides insight into how sources of meaningful work are related to work meaningfulness and to important occupational outcomes. Public Significance Statement This research examines a short, online and inexpensive tool that can boost work meaningfulness and, consequently, momentary work engagement. Employees that focused on the meaning of their work not only experienced higher levels of work meaningfulness, but also higher momentary work engagement. When employees were asked to focus and write down how their work served a greater good, it elevated work meaningfulness as compared to focusing on how one's work allowed them to advance their personal career. This suggests that only other-oriented and not self-oriented sources of meaning can help to bolster momentary work engagement through changes in work meaningfulness.