Beyond the flow continuum: A person-centered approach to identify unique constellations of flow components

Abstract

Not all psychological states experienced during work are equally rewarding, yet little is known about what sets particularly rewarding states apart from others. Flow is a highly rewarding state of deep absorption in which actions feel effortless and automatic. Although originally conceptualized as a discrete, all-or-nothing state, flow is now often treated as varying in degree across daily work activities. This shift risks blurring the boundaries between flow and other psychological states, leading to conceptual confusion, imprecise theoretical frameworks, and inconsistent research practices. To address this ambiguity, our study provides a clear empirical test of the nature of flow by identifying unique patterns of its core components that set it apart from other psychological states. In a day reconstruction study involving 199 employees (2927 observations), multilevel factor mixture analysis yielded six distinct state profiles: Deep Flow, Microflow, Apathy, Boredom, Arousal, and Anxiety. Two profiles theoretically aligned with the concept of flow: one with peak scores on absorption, effortless control, and intrinsic reward (i.e., Deep Flow), and one with moderately high scores on the three components (i.e., Microflow). Both emerged during 29% and 44% of the activities, respectively, and particularly when activities were scored high on challenge appraisal or low on hindrance appraisal. These findings clarify the nature of flow by empirically demonstrating its distinctiveness from other states, thereby resolving a key ambiguity and advancing flow theory and research.