Work-Related Smartphone Use and Well-Being in the Evening

Recent research has revealed that use of smartphones for work in the evening is associated with lower well-being. In this study, based on self-determination theory, we examined the role of autonomous and controlled motivation for well-being in the evening. Hierarchical regression analyses using data from 1,714 working individuals revealed that work-related smartphone usage in the evening was positively related to psychological detachment, but unrelated to recovery and negative affect, and negatively related to positive affect. Autonomous motivation for smartphone usage in the evening was positively related to recovery, psychological detachment, and positive affect. Controlled motivation was significantly related to positive and negative affect in the expected direction. These results indicate that the motivation behind individuals’ smartphone use in the evening matters for their well-being.