The Impact of Commuter Stress on Workplace Aggression

Abstract

Immediately following their regular commute to work, participants completed questionnaires regarding state driver stress and anger during that commute. Then, immediately following completion of that work day, they completed a state version of the Workplace Aggression Scale. As state driver stress increased, the frequency of both expressed hostility and obstructionism increased (independently) during that work day, but only among male employees. In contrast, overt aggression during that work day was greatest among males who were higher in physical aggressiveness as a general trait characteristic. The present study highlights the interactive nature of traffic and workplace environments, in that negative experiences in the traffic environment may spill over for some individuals to influence nondriving events.

Cost of Commuting: A Review of Determinants, Outcomes, and Theory of Commuting-Related Stress

“…Hennessy (2008) notes: "As expected, state driver stress was related to subsequent acts of workplace aggression, but only for males and only in the form of expressed hostility and obstructionism" (p. 2325). Expressed hostility is defined as verbal outbursts, angry or discontented feelings, and negative attitudes towards fellow workers.…”

“…In the work environment, these spillover effects can manifest in numerous ways. Although the commuting stress and spillover effect is not a causal relationship, this specific stressor does increase the likelihood of spillover in work (Hennessy, 2008;Wener et al, 2005). I will be discussing several, well-documented spillover effects in the workplace.…”

“…Expressed hostility is defined as verbal outbursts, angry or discontented feelings, and negative attitudes towards fellow workers. Obstructionism involves actions meant to impede another's performance or hamper progress (Hennessy, 2008). Hennessy (2008) outlines how commuting stress can lead to workplace aggression in males.…”

“…Obstructionism involves actions meant to impede another's performance or hamper progress (Hennessy, 2008). Hennessy (2008) outlines how commuting stress can lead to workplace aggression in males. Men showed an increase in aggressive tendencies across two of COST OF COMMUTING 12 the three aggression measures Hennessy used -specifically only for expressed hostility and obstructionism.…”

“…That is, commuters' experiences of commuting stress may spill over to the workplace. Hennessy (2008) defines spillover effects as "unresolved difficulties from one domain that accumulate and unconsciously influence the interpretation of, and intensify negative reaction to, stressors in subsequent domains" (p. 2326). In the work environment, these spillover effects can manifest in numerous ways.…”