Emotional work and emotional contagion

Abstract

Emotional work is unique and skilled work-it involves handling emotions and social relationships and its product is the change of feeling in others. Data was provided by employees of a health care organization (n = 261). Findings indicate that when people do emotional work they can "catch" emotions from others. Handling positive emotions in others improves well-being. Handling negative emotions in others relates to a wide range of psychological health problems. Emotional work may not be sustainable unless the contagion process is recognized. Show more