Married men less likely to feel tired at work: study

A study shows that married men are less likely to feel tired in the workplace. Workplace burnout is widespread and can have a detrimental effect on employee performance, well-being and the overall productivity of an organization. The study, led by a team from the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Russia, has shown that satisfaction in personal relationships can help reduce the expression of workplace burnout syndrome.

Burnout causes significant mental fatigue and is manifested through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (a condition in which a person becomes disconnected from his or her body, thoughts, or feelings), and a decline in personal fulfillment. For the study, the team conducted a survey of 203 employees at various Russian companies, asking participants to rate their satisfaction with personal relationships and the presence of workplace burnout symptoms.

The results suggest that as the level of marital satisfaction increases, the risk of burnout decreases, and this correlation is more pronounced among men. The researchers attribute these findings to differences in expectations related to marriage and career, as well as disparities in the social roles and stereotypes attributed to men and women.

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“For men, career success can often become a fundamental aspect of their identity and self-esteem. As a result, they may face more pressure in the workplace and strive to perform their duties and meet expectations. experienced higher stress levels,” said Ilya Bulgakov, doctoral student, HSE School of Psychology.

“In this context, marital satisfaction and a sense of support in one’s personal life may become important factors in preventing burnout among men,” Bulgakov said. When it comes to women, depersonalization characterized by feelings of alienation from coworkers and customers and a lack of empathy and compassion has a greater impact on the development of burnout.

For men, the most important factor is emotional fatigue from being overwhelmed by requests and feeling unable to manage them effectively. Researchers suggest that the stereotyping experienced by women is linked to social expectations and social roles typically imposed on them in professional circles.

Thus, in many cultures, women are expected to display nurturing and empathetic behavior. Women often experience pressure regarding the amount of emotional support they can provide to co-workers, clients, or patients.

The rise of such expectations can lead to increased stress and a tendency to disengage from these responsibilities, which ultimately leads to depersonalization, with detrimental effects on job performance and relationships with co-workers and customers.

In men, social expectations associated with their roles as providers and protectors can trigger emotional burnout, often leading to significant levels of responsibility and work-related stress. The findings suggest that men who experience greater professional success also tend to have higher levels of satisfaction with their personal relationships. No such association was found for females.

This suggests that support in one’s personal life may play a more important role in facilitating workplace success for men than for women. He stresses that for organizations, understanding the specific aspects of employee burnout can serve as a valuable tool in managing stressful situations and increasing motivation.