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Young-Woo Son

Yonsei University · Psychology

About the Lab

Professor Young-Woo Son's research lab focuses on the psychological and organizational dynamics influencing employee well-being, work engagement, and performance, with a particular emphasis on the role of calling, leadership, and cognitive resources in the workplace. The lab investigates how individual differences—such as working memory capacity, passion types, and perceived calling—impact job outcomes, emotional exhaustion, and organizational commitment. Drawing on theoretical frameworks like the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, and the Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP), the lab explores both positive and paradoxical effects of work-related motivations and leadership behaviors. Current research also examines intergroup dynamics, such as the spillover effects of leaders’ workaholism and ethical leadership on followers’ emotional and organizational outcomes.

callingwork engagementemotional exhaustionethical leadershipcognitive resources

Research Overview

Papers
368
Total Citations
2,516
Papers (5y)
50
Primary Field
Psychology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
50total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
97total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|112 citations·2004
Memory Processes of Flight Situation Awareness: Interactive Roles of Working Memory Capacity, Long-Term Working Memory, and Expertise
Young Woo Sohn, Stephanie M. Doane
SJR Q1Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

This research examined the role of working memory (WM) capacity and long-term working memory (LT-WM) in flight situation awareness (SA). We developed spatial and verbal measures of WM capacity and LT-WM skill and then determined the ability of these measures to predict pilot performance on SA tasks. Although both spatial measures of WM capacity and LT-WM skills were important predictors of SA performance, their importance varied as a function of pilot expertise. Spatial WM capacity was most pred

Social PsychologyPsychology
2
Article|96 citations·2017
A moderated mediation model of job stress, job satisfaction, and turnover intention for airport security screeners
Eun Kyoung Chung, Yeseul Jung, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q1Safety Science
Radiological and Ultrasound TechnologyHealth Professions
3
Article|73 citations·2003
Roles of working memory capacity and long-term working memory skill in complex task performance
Young Woo Sohn, Stephanie M. Doane
SJR Q1Memory & CognitionOA
Social PsychologyPsychology
4
Article|40 citations·2020
The Crossover Effects of Supervisors’ Workaholism on Subordinates’ Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Two Types of Job Demands and Emotional Exhaustion
Nanhee Kim, Yun Jin Kang, Jinsoo Choi, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthOA

Although much research has been conducted on workaholism, its crossover effects remain uninvestigated, especially in the context of organizations. Based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model of burnout and the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we established a dual-path structural model to examine the effects of supervisors' workaholism on subordinates' turnover intention through two types of job demands (perceived workload and interpersonal conflict) as well as subordinates' emotional

Social PsychologyPsychology
5
Article|33 citations·2019
Having a Calling on Board: Effects of Calling on Job Satisfaction and Job Performance Among South Korean Newcomers
Jiyoung Park, Sinae Kim, Myoungki Lim, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2Frontiers in PsychologyOA

Despite increasing research on calling, how calling functions for those experiencing transition from school to work and how their calling prior to working relates to later well-being and job outcomes has been understudied. The current study explored effects of perceiving a calling on job satisfaction and job performance, as measured at organizational entry and 2 years after organizational entry. Using a time-lagged collection of a sample of South Korean newcomers, the results based on structural

DemographySocial Sciences
6
Article|30 citations·2020
The Double-Edged Sword of a Calling: The Mediating Role of Harmonious and Obsessive Passions in the Relationship between a Calling, Workaholism, and Work Engagement
Jinsoo Choi, Surawut Permpongaree, Nanhee Kim, Yeeun Choi, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthOA

Even though research on perceiving a calling has been growing, our understanding of its double-edged sword effects and psychological mechanisms remain unclear, especially in terms of work engagement and workaholism. Based on the heavy working investment (HWI) and dualistic model of passion (DMP) theories, we established a dual-path structural model to examine the effects of callings on work engagement and workaholism through two types of passion: harmonious (HP) and obsessive (OP) passions. Our

Social PsychologyPsychology
7
Article|26 citations·2018
Leading With Callings: Effects of Leader’s Calling on Followers’ Team Commitment, Voice Behavior, and Job Performance
Jiyoung Park, Kyoungsu Lee, Jung In Lim, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2Frontiers in PsychologyOA

Viewing work as a calling has been considered to be beneficial to individuals and organizations. However, research to date has largely focused on the effects of individuals' own callings on themselves, leaving the effects of one's calling on others unexplored. Based on research that demonstrates prevalent effects of callings and leader's influences on followers at work, we assumed that leader calling might have positive effects on followers' outcomes. Specifically, we hypothesized that the exten

DemographySocial Sciences
8
Article|26 citations·2021
Ethical Leadership and Followers’ Emotional Exhaustion: Exploring the Roles of Three Types of Emotional Labor toward Leaders in South Korea
Hye Won Lee, Saemi An, Ga Young Lim, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthOA

Employees' emotional exhaustion caused by their leaders has significant consequences for both individuals and organizations. Identifying the roles of intra-organizational emotional labor is important to prevent employees' emotional exhaustion. This study examined the relationships between ethical leadership, followers' emotional labor toward leaders, and emotional exhaustion using Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory. Data collected from 259 employees working in South Korea were analyzed u

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
9
Article|22 citations·2022
Does work passion benefit or hinder employee’s career commitment? The mediating role of work–family interface and the moderating role of autonomy support
Yeseul Jung, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q1PLoS ONEOA

Based on the dualistic model of passion, this study explored the relationship between distinct types of work passion and career commitment, as well as the mediating role of work-family interface and the moderating role of autonomy support. A two-wave study was conducted among South Korean workers (N = 250) over a 5-month time period. Results showed that harmonious work passion was positively associated with career commitment, whereas obsessive work passion was not significantly associated with c

Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
10
Article|21 citations·2005
The impact of individual differences and learning context on strategic skill acquisition and transfer
Young Woo Sohn, Stephanie M. Doane, Teena M. Garrison
SJR Q1Learning and Individual Differences
Experimental and Cognitive PsychologyPsychology
11
Article|17 citations·1997
Cognitive constraints on computer problem-solving skills.
Young Woo Sohn, Stephanie M. Doane
SJR Q1Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied
Computer Science ApplicationsComputer Science
12
Article|16 citations·2019
Investigating Psychometrics of Career Decision Ambiguity Tolerance Scale
In‐Jo Park, Shenyang Hai, Seungmi Lee, Young-Woo Sohn
SJR Q2Frontiers in PsychologyOA

This study aimed to validate career decision ambiguity tolerance scale-Korean form applicable to a Korean sample. In study 1, 17-items from the original 18-item career decision ambiguity tolerance scale were valid based on IRT. In study 2, using the confirmatory factor analysis, we showed that excluding item 4 from the original scale is better than including it in the three factors model. Given the results of study 1 and 2, the constructs in the 17-item career decision ambiguity tolerance scale-

Safety ResearchSocial Sciences
13
Article|16 citations·2021
The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life in the Effects of Calling on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Growth: A Longitudinal Study of Navy Soldiers Deployed to the Gulf of Aden
Jeong Hoon Seol, Yonguk Park, Jinsoo Choi, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q2Frontiers in PsychologyOA

This study examined the mediating role of meaning in life in the effect of calling on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among navy soldiers of the Republic of Korea deployed to the Gulf of Aden, Somalia. Participants responded to the questionnaire survey three times (pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment) at 4-month intervals. From the first, second, and third surveys, data were collected for 223, 195, and 103 respondents, respectively. Results showed

HealthSocial Sciences
14
Article|13 citations·2021
The Multidimensional Workaholism Scale in a Korean Population: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study
Nanhee Kim, Jinsoo Choi, Yonguk Park, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q1Journal of Career Assessment

This study aimed to provide a reliable and valid measure of workaholism for Korean workers. We translated the Multidimensional Workaholism Scale (MWS) into Korean and validated it with a sample of 1020 full-time Korean employees. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution (Study 1; N = 524), and a confirmatory analysis further demonstrated good model fit of the four-factor structure (Study 2; N = 496). The scale’s concurrent and construct validity was supported by positive co

Social PsychologyPsychology
15
Article|12 citations·2023
The Relationship between Job Insecurity and Safety Behavior: The Buffering Role of Leadership Ethics
Yunsook Hong, Min-Jik Kim, Young Woo Sohn
SJR Q1SustainabilityOA

While numerous studies have delved into the ramifications of job insecurity for organizational outcomes, past endeavors have not adequately unveiled the mediating and moderating factors in the connection between job insecurity and safety behavior, especially from a positive psychology standpoint. Furthermore, the interaction between organizational leadership and job insecurity has been underexplored, despite the critical role of leaders during periods of job insecurity. Addressing these research

Radiological and Ultrasound TechnologyHealth Professions

Research Areas

Social PsychologyOrganizational Behavior and Human Resource ManagementSociology and Political ScienceDemographyLeadership and ManagementAerospace Engineering

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