| Abstract |
The overarching aim of the project is to examine the effects of interpersonal relationships in the workplace on health. Data were collected from 1,800 working adults in the United States in 2005; approximately 20 months later, all of these individuals were sought for a second interview. Successful interviews were achieved with approximately 71 percent of the sample. We applied the stress process framework as a guiding theoretical model for the project. It posits that exposure to stressful role conditions can harm emotional and physical functioning. This model helped organize our aims to 1) identify the structural sources and extent of interpersonal conflict in the workplace, 2) specify the origins of conflict in relation to social statuses, occupational status, and job conditions, 3) document the consequences of conflict for emotions and health, and 4) determine the mediating and moderating functions of the sense of mastery and supportive bonds in the workplace. Although interpersonal relationships in general can be a source of positive and negative emotions, the inquiry focuses on those in the workplace because of the salience of work and its instrumental importance to other roles and well-being. The study centers on the types of conflict involving actions that are particularly evocative of anger such as violations of self, perceived injustice or inequity, goal impediments, and experienced aggression. Potential sources of conflict are proposed to emerge at three levels: social statuses, occupational status and conditions, and the structure of relations in different role-set domains. We focus on the worker's relationships with superordinates (managers or supervisors), subordinates (people managed or supervised), customers or clients (the recipients of service), and other peers (coworkers). By employing a wide lens to assess the entire role-set, we can investigate the potentially different sources and effects of conflict while accounting for the complexity of organizational and authority structures. In addition to the central focus on interpersonal conflict, this project provides previously undocumented evidence about workplace stressors, the work-family interface, and their influence on health. These insights inform key guideposts for improving health and well-being of workers in diverse occupations and job sectors. |
