Coping Strategies After a Major Life Event: How Do Emotion Regulation and Mindfulness Influence Work Engagement and Affective Commitment?

This study examined the influence of negative major life events (MLEs) on work engagement and affective commitment, considering the personal resources of emotion regulation and mindfulness. Affected employees ( N = 182) were surveyed at three measurement points to analyze relationships between MLE-related strain, work engagement, and affective commitment, as well as potential moderating effects. Regression analyses revealed positive direct effects of emotion regulation on both outcomes and a positive direct effect of mindfulness on work engagement, whereas no direct associations between MLE-related strain and the outcomes were observed. Contrary to the hypothesized assumptions, moderation analyses indicated reinforcing effects of emotion regulation and mindfulness on affective commitment and a reinforcing moderation effect of emotion regulation on work engagement. Given the high prevalence of COVID-19-related MLEs, the study provides additional insights into the role of personal resources in coping with profound changes in the work context.