Take control: A two-study evaluation of a self-regulation intervention with randomized controlled trials

The way in which people work is changing, with workplaces characterized by greater variations in where, when, and how people work. Across two studies, we evaluated a web-based intervention introducing self-regulation strategies based on Action Regulation Theory to enable workers in hybrid working environments to organize their workday effectively, to manage work and private life demands, and thus to improve work performance (indicated by task performance and proactivity), occupational self-efficacy, and psychological detachment and reduce work–life conflict. In two randomized controlled trials, participants were assigned to an intervention group or a waitlist control group, filling out questionnaires before and after the intervention. In Study 1, using a randomized controlled trial with a convenience sample of 128 German employees (intervention group: n = 65; control group: n = 64) with baseline and two follow-up measurement points, multilevel analyses revealed positive effects on occupational self-efficacy, task performance, and proactivity. Moreover, we found a delayed effect on both work–life conflict and detachment after 2 weeks. In Study 2, in a randomized controlled trial with a sample of 125 Irish employees from one organization (intervention group: n = 59; control group: n = 66), we found positive effects directly after the intervention on occupational self-efficacy and work–life conflict. The results of both studies converge to support the effectiveness of the developed self-regulation intervention. Findings suggest that the intervention is an effective tool for promoting certain aspects of work performance. Furthermore, training self-regulation in the work context can improve occupational self-efficacy and reduce work–life conflict.