146 Chapter 6 Hypothesis 2: T1 proactive vitality management is positively related to T3 creativity, through T2 work engagement. The Role of Self-Insight In order to protect and replenish their physical and mental energy for work, chronically ill individuals may purposefully employ a wide range of strategies that may all fall under the umbrella of proactive vitality management. For instance, some may consciously focus on getting enough sleep to start the workday feeling as physically and mentally prepared as possible. Alternatively, others may aim to mindfully derive positive energy for work through regular breaks filled with social interaction or by listening to their favorite music during the workday. In a similar vein, an individual may try to start certain workdays with a healthy and energizing breakfast, while on other days, they may choose to prepare for their work through meditation or exercise. Important here is the idea that the vitality management strategies are goal-directed and purposefully initiated; which specific behaviors or activities are most effective and preferred may vary between individuals and be different over time (Op den Kamp et al., 2018; see also, Sonnentag & Fritz, 2007; Thayer et al., 1994). For individuals dealing with a chronic illness, it may be especially important to cultivate awareness of their physical and psychological state, and the individual and situational needs they may have due to their illness. As such, they must use self-regulation skills to develop and implement behavioral strategies, and should continuously monitor and evaluate what works best for them to achieve the desired results (Balkis & Duru, 2016; Wang et al., 2021; Zimmerman, 2000). Chronically ill employees with higher levels of self-insight may navigate this self-regulatory process more effectively. Self-insight can be defined as the understanding of one’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors (Grant et al., 2002) and has been linked to various indicators of psychological well-being (e.g., Harrington & Loffredo, 2010; Lyke, 2009; Silvia & Phillips, 2011). Chronically ill employees may be more successful in their proactive vitality management attempts when they have higher self-insight, because the need or opportunity for proactive vitality management may be detected more accurately and timelier. Conversely, low self-insight could lead chronically ill employees to overlook the signals indicating that they are running out of energy or that it is time to try to cultivate a more focused and driven mindset, decreasing the effectiveness of any
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