TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Married couples who reported high levels of stress but strong spousal support cope better at work and have more satisfying marriages, U.S. researchers found.
Wayne Dishwater of the Florida State University College of Business and colleagues questioned more than 400 working couples, in both blue- and white-collar occupations.
Those who reported high levels of stress but strong spousal support, compared to stressed-out employees without such support, experienced the following positive benefits:
-- 50 percent higher rates of satisfaction with their marriage.
-- 33 percent greater likelihood of having positive relationships with co-workers.
-- 30 percent lower likelihood of experiencing guilt associated with home/family neglect.
-- 30 percent lower likelihood of being critical of others (spouse, children) at home.
-- 25 percent higher rates of concentration levels at work and satisfaction with the amount of time spent with their children.
-- 25 percent lower likelihood of experiencing fatigue at home after work.
"Given that a lack of support from one's spouse represents a major cause of both divorce and career derailment, this research is needed to address issues that affect both home and work," Dishwater said in a statement. "When you're still angry or upset from yesterday's stress, your workday will likely go in only one direction -- down."
