Adults spend a significant portion of their lives at work. As a society, we invest heavily in our careers and often frame parts of our social identity around our jobs. Work has a profound influence on the way we feel and can potentially improve the quality of our lives. In fact, counter to what you might believe, a study of adult workers in Chicago found that positive experiences were more likely to occur in work than in leisure settings. However, not all aspects of work are experienced the same way—certain characteristics enhance psychological well-being (e.g. autonomy, creativity), while others have a negative influence on positive emotions (e.g. job strain).
Autonomy
Autonomy refers to freedom from control by others. Those who are self-directed, have the latitude to make decisions and regulate the pace and timing of their work tend to report fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, and greater positive affect, vitality, and self-esteem. Job autonomy improves psychological well-being by promoting our sense of control, which acts as a buffer against stress. Work environments that are too prescriptive—for instance with a supervisor that micro-manages the activities of his or her staff—tend to bear down psychologically on individuals.
Creativity
In contrast to autonomy, which is a condition of the work environment, creativity is an activity engaged in by the individual. Creativity involves originality, imagination, and self-expression. Creative work tends to be complex and challenging, requiring people to use new information and problem solving skills to address an issue, answer a question, or complete a project. Creativity tends to be more prevalent in work environments that are autonomous, but the individual is ultimately responsible for engaging in creative activities. Regardless of the context, creative work is psychologically rewarding. A large, national study of U.S. adults found that those who described their work activities as creative reported better physical health and were less likely to feel run-down or tired, and to experience back aches or head aches.
Job Strain
Although certain characteristics of work, like autonomy and creativity, have a positive influence on psychological well-being, others have the potential to negatively effect our moods. Foremost among the negative aspects of work is job strain. Job strains include interpersonal conflicts between employees, emotional demands, work-home interference, and feelings of insecurity about the future of one's position. They also include the reverse side of autonomy—feeling powerless or having a low overall sense of control. A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that people who felt insecure about, or bothered by, their work were less likely to achieve restful sleep compared to those who experienced less job stress. Arguing with a coworker or having excessive demands on your time can trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which make it difficult to relax at the end of a workday.
Suggested Reading
Burgard, S.A. (2009). Putting work to bed: Stressful experiences on the job and sleep quality. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50, 476-492.
Mirowsky, J., & Ross, C.E. (2007). Creative work and health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 48, 385-403.
Csikszentmihalyi, M., & LeFevre, J. (1989). Optimal experience in work and leisure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 815-822.
