Under pressure: bouncing back to creativity into the future in a moderated mediation model

Purpose This study aims to examine the complex relationship between pressure, resilience and creativity, which are essential for individual performance and organizational innovation in fast-paced work environments. Based on resource conservation theory, this study identifies psychological resilience as a mediator and future orientation as a moderator, exploring the mechanisms and boundary conditions that influence the impact of performance pressure on creativity. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 345 participants using structured questionnaires. A moderated mediation model was developed and tested empirically. Findings The empirical findings show that performance pressure negatively affects psychological resilience, while psychological resilience positively impacts creativity. Additionally, psychological resilience mediates the relationship between performance pressure and creativity. Future orientation moderates the effect of performance pressure on psychological resilience and also shapes the mediated relationship between performance pressure and creativity through psychological resilience. This indirect effect is stronger among participants with a high level of future orientation. Originality/value This study integrates resource conservation theory to examine how performance pressure affects creativity through psychological resilience, highlighting future orientation as a key moderator. It advances theoretical understanding and provides practical strategies for enhancing resilience and creativity in high-pressure environments, offering valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners.