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Looking forward: How anticipated workload change influences the present workload-emotional strain relationship
Michael J DiStaso1, Mindy K Shoss1
1Department of Psychology.
Journal of Occupational Health Psychology
|September 4, 2020
Summary
Anticipating future workload changes significantly impacts current job stress. Expecting a heavier workload increases emotional strain, while anticipating a lighter workload reduces it, offering a "light at the end of the tunnel" effect.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Occupational Health Psychology
Background:
- Workload fluctuations are common in project-based environments.
- Understanding the psychological impact of workload changes is crucial for employee well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how anticipating workload changes moderates the relationship between current workload and emotional strain.
- To extend Conservation of Resources Theory by incorporating future workload expectations.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed employees in project-based roles.
- Analyzed the moderating effect of anticipated workload increase and decrease on the current workload-emotional strain link.
Main Results:
- Anticipation of increased workload intensified the link between current workload and emotional strain.
- Anticipation of decreased workload buffered the link between current workload and emotional strain.
Conclusions:
- Anticipated changes in stressor conditions, like workload, influence stressor-strain relationships.
- Employees' perception of future workload impacts their tolerance for current stressful conditions.
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