An Investigation into the Consequences of Performing Emotional Labour in Mental Health Care

• Main Author: Dick, Andrea
• Language: en
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: emotional labour; mental health workers; burnout; job satisfaction; stress; health and well-being; Health Studies and Gerontology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10012/5874

Performing emotional labour in health care has been widely studied. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding mental health care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify (1) the method of emotional labour (i.e. hiding, faking, deep acting) adopted by mental health workers when interacting with patients; (2) the consequences associated with performing emotional labour- burnout, job satisfaction, and stress; and (3) which of these variables mentioned above predict the health and well-being of mental health workers. Findings revealed greater use of hiding emotions, than deep acting or faking emotions with patients. Several consequences, both positive and negative were identified. Among the negative consequences found, performing emotional labour through hiding and faking emotions was associated with burnout, job dissatisfaction, and stress. Conversely, through deep acting, increased personal accomplishment and job satisfaction was confirmed. No association between emotional labour and psychological distress, and physical symptoms were found.