In two experiments in a simulated office space, temporary office personnel worked under one of six lighting conditions for a day. A previous paper reported the results of statistical tests for lighting conditions effects on perceptions, feelings and task performance. This paper reports mediated regression analyses testing the linked mechanisms by which lighting conditions affect health, well-being and task performance. Combined results from the two statistical approaches show that people who perceived their office lighting as being of higher quality rated the space as more attractive, reported more pleasant mood, and showed greater well-being at the end of the day. Direct—indirect lighting and personal control were favoured. Lighting conditions that improved visibility also improved task performance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Loe DL, Rowlands E.The art and science of lighting: a strategy for lighting design. Lighting Research & Technology1996; 28: 153-64.
2.
Veitch JA, Julian W., Slater AIA framework for understanding and promoting lighting quality. In JA Veitch, editor. Proceedings of the First CIE Symposium on Lighting Quality. Vol. CIE-x015-1998, Vienna, Austria: Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage Central Bureau, 1998: 237-41.
3.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).Lighting Handbook: Reference & Application. 9th edition, New York: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, 2000.
4.
Boyce PR, Veitch JA, Newsham GR, et al. Lighting quality and office work: Two field simulation experiments . Lighting Research & Technology2006 ; 38: 191-223.
5.
Wyon DPIndoor environmental effects on productivity. In Teichman KY, editor. Proceedings of IAQ '96: Paths to Better Building Environments. Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers , 1996: 5-15.
6.
Rea MS, Ouellette MJRelative visual performance: A basis for application. Lighting Research & Technology1991; 23: 135-44.
7.
Wibom RI, Carlsson LWWork at video display terminals among office workers. In: Knave B, Wideback PG , editor. Work with Video Display Units 86. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Science, 1987: 357-67.
8.
Flynn JE, Hendrick C., Spencer T., Martyniuk O.A guide to methodology procedures for measuring subjective impressions in lighting. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society1979; 8: 95-110.
9.
Eklund NH, Boyce PR, Simpson SNLighting and sustained performance. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society2000; 29(1): 116-30.
10.
Eklund NH, Boyce PR, Simpson SNLighting and sustained performance: Modeling data-entry task performance . Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society2001; 30(2): 126-40.
11.
Baron RA, Rea MS, Daniels SGEffects of indoor lighting (illuminance and spectral distribution) on the performance of cognitive tasks and interpersonal behaviors: The potential mediating role of positive affect. Motivation and Emotion1992; 16: 1-33.
12.
Newsham GR, Veitch JALighting quality recommendations for VDT offices: A new method of derivation . Lighting Research & Technology2001; 33: 97-116.
13.
Bandura A.Self-efficacy mechanism in human agency. American Psychologist1982; 37: 122-47.
14.
Barnes RDPerceived freedom and control in the built environment. In Harvey JH, editor. Cognition, Social Behavior, and the Environment. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 1981: 409-22.
15.
Becker FDQuality of Work Environment (QWE): Effects on office workers. Prevention in Human Services 1985-1986; 4: 35-57.
16.
Boyce PR, Veitch JA, Newsham GR, et al. Occupant use of switching and dimming controls in offices. Lighting Research & Technology2006; 38: 358-78.
17.
Boyce PR, Veitch JA, Newsham GR, Myer M., Hunter C.Lighting Quality and Office Work A Field Simulation Study. Richland, WA, USA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 2003; PNNL 14506, Retrieved from: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/b3214.1/
18.
Baron RM, Kenny DAThe moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology1986; 51: 1173-82.
19.
Cohen J.Statistical PowerAnalysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd edition, Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum , 1988.
20.
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).American National Standard Practice for Office Lighting. New York: IESNA , 1993; ANSI/IESNA-RP-1-1993.
21.
Byrne BMStructural Equation Modeling with EQS and EQS/Windows: Basic Concepts, Applications, and Programming. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1994.
22.
Kline RBPrinciples and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling. New York: Guilford Press, 1997.
23.
Veitch JA, Charles KE, Farley KMJ, Newsham GRA model of satisfaction with open-plan office conditions: COPE field findings . Journal of Environmental Psychology2007 ; 27: 177-89.
24.
Carlopio JRConstruct validity of a physical work environment satisfaction questionnaire. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology1996; 1: 330-44.
25.
Wells MMOffice clutter or meaningful personal displays: The role of office personalization in employee and organizational well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology2000; 20: 239-55.
26.
Harter JK, Schmidt FL, Hayes TLBusiness-unit-level relationship between employee satisfaction, employee engagement, and business outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology2002; 87: 268-79.
27.
Galasiu AD, Newsham GR, Suvagau C., Sander DMEnergy saving lighting control systems for open-plan offices: A field study . Leukos2007; 4: 7-29.
28.
Veitch JA, Newsham GR, Boyce PR, Jones CC In Proceedings of the 26th Session of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, Beijing, China, 4-11 July 2007. Vienna, Austria: CIE, 2007: D3-61 - D3-64.
29.
Aries MBC, Veitch JA, Newsham GRPhysical and psychological discomfort in the office environment. Paper presented at the Light and Health Research Foundation (SOLG) Conference. Eindhoven, the Netherlands, November 8, 2007.
30.
Boyce PR, Veitch JA, Newsham GR, Myer M., Hunter C.Lighting quality and office work: A field simulation study. Richland, WA, USA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 2003; PNNL 14506. Retrieved from http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/b3214.1/
31.
Galasiu AD, Newsham GR, Suvagau C., Sander DMEnergy saving lighting control systems for open-plan offices: a field study . Leukos2007; 4: 7-29.
32.
Boyce PR, Veitch JA, Newsham GR, et al. Lighting quality and office work: Two field simulation experiments . Lighting Research & Technology2006 ; 38: 191-223.
