Study Says Expressing Workplace Anger May be Good for Health, But is It Worth It?
A study found that men who "bottle up" their anger when facing a conflict at work are up to five times more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who express their frustration.
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November 25, 2009
The past year has brought some spectacular examples of athlete meltdowns on the field - from the tantrum that may have cost Serena Williams a U.S. Open title to Jorge Posada elbowing an opponent and starting a brawl at Yankee Stadium.
All of these can be seen as a form of workplace rage, which was the subject of a recent study by scientists from the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University. They found that men who "bottle up" their anger when facing a conflict at work are up to five times more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who express their frustration, according to Reuters.
Among such "open coping" behaviors, the scientists listed "protesting directly", "talking to the person right away", "yelling at the person right away" or "speaking to the person later when things have calmed down," according to the news provider.
Though some of these techniques may be useful in protecting physical health, they can also lead to workplace violence, a phenomenon which experts say is growing in the U.S. According to a survey conducted in 2005 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 5 percent of America's establishments experienced an incident of workplace violence in the previous 12 months.
A recent FBI report suggests employers develop effective anti-violence plans that are tailored to their unique workforce and take workplace culture into account. In particular, they should examine elements that may foster a toxic climate, such as tolerance of bullying or intimidation; lack of trust among employees; high levels of stress, frustration and anger; poor communication; inconsistent discipline and erratic enforcement of company policies.
The National Institute for the Prevention of Workplace Violence offers additional information and resources.
The past year has brought some spectacular examples of athlete meltdowns on the field - from the tantrum that may have cost Serena Williams a U.S. Open title to Jorge Posada elbowing an opponent and starting a brawl at Yankee Stadium.
All of these can be seen as a form of workplace rage, which was the subject of a recent study by scientists from the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University. They found that men who "bottle up" their anger when facing a conflict at work are up to five times more likely to suffer a heart attack than those who express their frustration, according to Reuters.
Among such "open coping" behaviors, the scientists listed "protesting directly", "talking to the person right away", "yelling at the person right away" or "speaking to the person later when things have calmed down," according to the news provider.
Though some of these techniques may be useful in protecting physical health, they can also lead to workplace violence, a phenomenon which experts say is growing in the U.S. According to a survey conducted in 2005 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 5 percent of America's establishments experienced an incident of workplace violence in the previous 12 months.
A recent FBI report suggests employers develop effective anti-violence plans that are tailored to their unique workforce and take workplace culture into account. In particular, they should examine elements that may foster a toxic climate, such as tolerance of bullying or intimidation; lack of trust among employees; high levels of stress, frustration and anger; poor communication; inconsistent discipline and erratic enforcement of company policies.
The National Institute for the Prevention of Workplace Violence offers additional information and resources.
