Is Work-Related Flow a Discrete or Continuous Experience?

The core aim of this study is to provide clarity regarding the core nature of flow. We examined how unique constellations (or profiles) of the flow components–absorption, effortless control, and intrinsic reward–correspond with and differ from the flow concept. To interpret these profiles, we tested whether employees differed in the prevalence of these constellations and if different predictors–i.e., challenge and hindrance appraisal–relate to the unique constellations of the flow components. Results from a day reconstruction study with 199 employees (n = 2,927 repeated measures) using multilevel person-centered analyses demonstrate that unique constellations of the flow components represent a mix of six different experiences (i.e., involvement, flow, apathy, boredom, arousal, and anxiety), of which flow only occurs after a peak level of its components is obtained. Employees experience flow, on average, during one out of three (29%) work activities, although the majority (69%) rarely encounter this experience. Finally, we found that the appraisal of work activities is strongly related to unique constellations of different experiences, with flow only occurring when activities are highly challenging and not hindering. These findings demonstrate that flow is a discrete experience and highlight crucial implications for future research.