The Influence of Work-Induced Psychological States on Behavior at Home

This article explores the processes by which employees' emotional states at the end of their work day are reflected in subsequent behavior at home. Previous research in this area is critiqued in terms of measurement issues and research design, and data are used to illustrate ways in which this phenomenon could be more accurately examined. This study links reports of four psychological states (stress, fatigue, arousal, and depression), collected from 29 men on 2 weekdays following their return home from work, to subsequent involvement in household tasks, leisure, and negative marital interactions. Group comparisons, comparing men "high" and "low" on the various states, produced a generally consistent pattern, although results were usually not statistically significant on both occasions of measurement. When nonparametric prediction analysis was utilized, however, a cleaner pattern emerged with: (a) high levels of stress and fatigue associated with low involvement in housework, (b) low levels of stress and high levels of arousal associated with greater involvement in active leisure, and (c) higher stress associated with higher levels of negative marital interactions. The data collecting method used in this study is evaluated, the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology are identified, and implications for future research are considered.