138 Chapter 6 Applying JD-R theory (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017), we focus on its two core processes to uncover the potential value of proactive vitality management for chronically ill employees. Previous studies have examined processes in which proactive vitality management relates to higher work engagement, performance, and creativity (Bakker et al., 2020; Op den Kamp et al., 2020; Tisu et al., 2021; Ye et al., 2021). These findings primarily pertain to the ‘motivational process’ in JD-R theory (Bakker & Demerouti, 2017). However, the role of proactive vitality management in the ‘health impairment process’ has not been examined before, while this process may be especially relevant for individuals with a chronic illness. In the current study, we propose that these employees may find ways to mobilize personal resources needed to deal with strain (‘health impairment process’), resulting in lower functional limitations and absenteeism over time despite their illness. In addition, we postulate that proactive vitality management will make chronically ill employees more motivated (‘motivational process’), subsequently manifesting itself in higher creative work performance over time. Moreover, in line with earlier studies, we hypothesize that those individuals with a more developed understanding of their own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors (i.e., selfinsight; Grant et al., 2002) will benefit most from using proactive vitality management (Op den Kamp et al., 2020). Especially for individuals working with chronic illness, self-insight may help overcome barriers and assess their personal needs, preferences, and restrictions more accurately. In this study, we follow chronically ill employees over a time span of 2,5 years and investigate whether they may use the strategy of proactive vitality management to promote their own functioning at work (see Figure 1 for the proposed model). We carried out our study among individuals with a chronic liver condition. Like many other chronic illnesses, chronic liver conditions are typically characterized by a deterioration of general health (e.g., fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment) that limits day-to-day functional capacity, even under optimal disease management (Newton & Jones, 2012). Our investigation of proactive vitality management among a specific group of individuals for which this proactive strategy may be particularly important aims to make several contributions.
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