When Loneliness Leads to Help-Seeking: The Role of Perceived Transactive Memory System and Work Meaningfulness

TL;DR

The study shows that workplace loneliness can lead to more help-seeking behavior when employees feel supported by good teamwork or meaningful work.

Contribution

The paper introduces the idea that loneliness can motivate help-seeking when transactive memory systems or work meaningfulness are high.

Findings

Workplace loneliness is linked to increased help-seeking when transactive memory systems are strong.

Employees with meaningful work are more likely to seek help despite feeling lonely.

Loneliness can have a positive effect on help-seeking under the right conditions.

Abstract

This study investigates the conditions under which workplace loneliness influences employees’ help-seeking behavior. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and the theory of planned behavior, we propose that loneliness does not uniformly discourage interpersonal engagement but can motivate help-seeking under certain circumstances. Using survey data from 260 full-time Korean employees, we find that workplace loneliness is positively associated with help-seeking when employees perceive high levels of transactive memory systems or work meaningfulness. These moderating effects suggest that the negative impact of loneliness on help-seeking can be attenuated or reversed when key contextual and motivational resources are present. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding workplace loneliness as a potentially adaptive response rather than solely a detrimental experience.

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