Publication Date

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Jacquelyn Brady; Gregory Feist; Sharon Kovalevsky

Abstract

There is substantial research on how work and non-work experiences are closely intertwined, with workplace experiences often spilling over to shape individuals’ relationship dynamics. Despite this, creativity, an increasingly valued skill in the workplace, remains largely overlooked in spillover research. Drawing on broaden-and-build theory, this study examined whether creative process engagement would be positively associated with romantic relationship satisfaction, both directly and indirectly through creative self-efficacy (CSE), conceptualized as a transferable personal resource built through positive experiences. Additionally, it investigated whether supervisor praise would moderate the relationship between creative process engagement and CSE to examine the role managers have in building cross-domain resources. Results indicated that the hypothesized direct, indirect and moderated effects were not supported. Specifically, no direct relationship between creative process engagement and relationship satisfaction was found. Nor was there evidence of an indirect effect through CSE. These findings suggest that creative engagement does not necessarily produce the conditions required for positive spillover into relationship outcomes directly or through enhanced CSE. The results highlight the importance of considering the complexity of creative experiences when examining spillover processes and suggest that the effects of creativity may be more conditional. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.

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