Relationships and careers can be closely linked, but what happens when they become intertwined to the point that one's relationship suffers because of their work life, or vice versa? This is known as relational stress and it has been shown to have negative effects on both mental health and career development. When people experience high levels of stress in their personal lives due to factors such as job demands or family obligations, this stress can spill over into their professional lives and impact their productivity, focus, creativity, decision making abilities, and overall success in the workplace. Similarly, when individuals suppress their emotions related to workplace issues or fail to address them properly, they may suffer from anxiety, depression, burnout, low self-esteem, decreased motivation, increased risk-taking behavior, impulsive decisions, poor communication skills, lack of initiative, difficulty setting goals, and other detrimental consequences. In addition to these negative outcomes for the individual, organizations face higher costs associated with absenteeism, turnover rates, missed opportunities, and diminished performance levels. Therefore, understanding how relational stress and suppression affect mental health and career progression is crucial for promoting wellness in both areas. The article will explore the various ways in which this phenomenon occurs and offer recommendations for managing it effectively.
What is Relational Stress?
The term "relational stress" refers to a person's perception that their relationships are being strained or threatened by external factors like work commitments or financial pressures. It often arises when individuals feel like they are constantly juggling competing priorities between their jobs and personal lives, leading to feelings of guilt or frustration about not being able to adequately attend to either area. This type of pressure can lead to psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue, which in turn negatively impact one's ability to perform at work or maintain healthy relationships.
Studies have shown that parents who experience high levels of parental responsibility stress are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than those without such responsibilities (Ford et al., 2016). Similarly, individuals who experience high levels of occupational stress due to job demands may find it difficult to manage their family life effectively because they feel overwhelmed or exhausted from the demands placed upon them at work (Wang et al., 2019). These challenges can cause people to become emotionally withdrawn or distant from loved ones, resulting in strained communication patterns and decreased intimacy. In addition, relational stress can also manifest physically through increased muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, and other physical symptoms associated with chronic stress.
Relational stress has been linked to poorer mental health outcomes such as lower self-esteem, greater emotional distress, and higher rates of suicidality (Kaplan et al., 2018).
How Does Relational Stress Affect Mental Health?
When an individual experiences ongoing relational stressors that are unaddressed or unresolved, it can lead to a range of negative effects on their overall well-being. One common outcome is burnout, which occurs when someone feels mentally and emotionally drained due to prolonged exposure to demanding situations with limited resources for coping or restoring energy. This state often results in reduced motivation, productivity, creativity, and engagement in both personal and professional contexts. Burnout has been shown to have significant consequences for career progression because it impairs one's ability to perform at a high level and meet expectations (Maslach & Leiter, 1997). Another possible consequence is depression or anxiety, which may develop when individuals feel trapped between two competing demands without adequate support systems or solutions. Both conditions can impair cognitive functioning, decision making abilities, social relationships, job performance, and overall quality of life (Ford et al., 2016; Dewa et al., 2014). In addition, suppressing emotions related to workplace issues can also contribute to mental health problems by preventing individuals from processing and resolving these feelings constructively. Suppression leads to increased rumination and worry about the situation, as well as internalizing blame or shame for not addressing it effectively (Kelly & DeLisi, 2015).
This can result in worsening symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, low mood, and irritability that interfere with daily functioning.
How Does Relational Stress Affect Career Progression?
In terms of careers, relational stress can lead to lower levels of job satisfaction due to increased demands placed upon employees. When workers experience frequent conflict between their work and family obligations, they are more likely to report dissatisfaction with their jobs (Wang et al., 2019).
Feeling unsupported by supervisors or coworkers makes them less motivated and engaged in their roles, leading to decreased commitment and productivity over time. Higher rates of absenteeism and turnover are also linked to relational stress because individuals may choose to leave their jobs rather than continue experiencing this type of pressure.
Suppression has been shown to impact career development directly by reducing an individual's ability to communicate effectively with others, take risks or initiative, set goals, and pursue opportunities for advancement (Kaplan et al., 2018). In other words, when people feel like they cannot express themselves honestly at home or work without facing repercussions, they become hesitant to speak up or advocate for themselves professionally. This
What are the long-term consequences of relational stress and suppression on mental health and career progression?
Relational stress is defined as "the experience of prolonged tension in one's social relationships" (Gottman et al. , 1986). Over time, this can lead to negative effects on an individual's mental health and professional development.