Work stress leads to personality changes

If you thought you were a different person when you were moving to a new job, there may indeed be some truth in that. New researchAn Explanation of Personality Change in Organizational Science: Personality as an Outcome of Workplace Stress scientists from the University of Illinois have shown that chronic stress in the workplace can lead to personality changes - and, quite expectedly, not for the better.

In particular, researchers Jarvis Smallfield and Donald Klumper studied the impact of various stressful situations on the Big Five.Big five (psychology) character traits that psychologists highlight: conscientiousness, benevolence, neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion. Smallfield noted:

Basically, if you are constantly stressed, you become more neurotic, which makes you more sensitive to stress - and the circle closes. As a result, you are constantly balancing fatigue and anxiety, and you tend to hate your job.

Moreover, after analyzing existing research on this topic, the authors concluded that personality changes can start already after 4 weeks of work in a state of stress - and in many companies there is even a probationary period longer.

Not all stress is the same

Fortunately, not all stress has such a negative effect on people. Smallfield suggests dividing stressful situations into challenge and threat. The first option implies that the difficulty is actually surpassed, and this will bring a pleasant result. For example, if you are asked to complete a task within a tough deadline and receive a promotion or bonus for that. This kind of tension is time-limited and has a reward at the end, so it's much easier to deal with.

But the stress threat can really lead to neurosis. And not surprisingly, this option implies constant tension without reward or rest. If this condition persists for a long time, it can affect the nervous system and make the person emotionally less stable. The authors of the study note that this is especially true during a pandemic.

Moreover, chronic stress in the workplace can have long-term consequences. According to epigenetic research (that is, the study of how the environment can affect gene expression), stress can alter the expression of DNA. In other words, it affects not only the human nervous system, but also its offspring.

How to protect yourself

Scientists believe that stress reduction is the responsibility of management, which should enable employees to be successful in their work and to recognize their merits. But not everyone is ready to entrust their emotional well-being to their bosses.

You can also protect yourself by looking at problems as surmountable, turning difficulties into challenges. This is not always possible, but if at least some of the tasks are transformed in this way, this will be enough for the first noticeable changes. If after that you feel that you are still having a hard time, you can talk to your boss or line manager and discuss your concerns.

“Almost every job is a constant challenge to employees, and it’s impossible to avoid — and not always necessary,” says Smallfield. “We need these challenges to strive for better and more. The problem arises when stress is no longer healthy and work becomes an irresistible, uncontrollable or meaningless routine. "