Boundary Control and Employee Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Interruptions and Moderating Effect of an Office Space

Abstract

Using boundary theory and COR as theoretical frameworks, the goal of this study is to propose and assess a moderated mediation model of boundary control as a predictor of stress and life satisfaction in involuntary remote workers, with interruptions from work by family as a mediator and a home office space as moderator. Participants for this three wave, time-lagged study (N = 278) were recruited during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Spring 2020 via MTurk. The findings indicated that interruptions mediated the relationship between boundary control and stress, but not life satisfaction. Additionally, having an office space served as a moderator for the boundary control and interruptions relationship. Lastly, I found moderated mediation effects for stress, but not for life satisfaction. The implications for individuals and organizations are discussed, as both consider adopting remote work in the future.