Underemployment and Well-Being: Exploring the Dark Side of Meaningful Work

Abstract

The goals of this study were to examine the relations between underemployment, meaningful work, and well-being and evaluate whether the relation between underemployment and well-being was moderated by meaningful work. In a diverse sample of working adults, meaningful work significantly moderated the relation between underemployment and positive affect, negative affect, depression, and stress. However, contrary to expectations, having meaningful work did not protect against the negative relation between underemployment and well-being. Rather, having meaningful work was associated with a positive relation between underemployment and negative affect, stress, and depression. Additionally, people low in meaningful work had a positive relation between underemployment and positive affect. This unexpected finding may point to a potential “dark side” of meaningful work. Specifically, people with meaningful work who are unable to fully employ their skills and abilities may be at particular risk for poorer well-being.