Ann Arbor, MI — Telling co-workers about developments in your life “can be a powerful source of connection and energy,” a researcher says, “but it can also backfire” if you’re merely venting.
Elizabeth Trinh, a University of Michigan doctoral student, along with fellow researchers in the university’s school of business and department of psychology, analyzed previous sampling studies that featured more than 26,000 observations from over 350 working U.S. adults.
They found that workers who shared positive personal information on the job experienced boosts in emotional well-being, work energy and feelings of connection, as well as lower levels of rumination (holding on to negative thoughts).
However, Trinh said, “sharing to vent, despite the common belief that venting is cathartic, actually predicted worse outcomes, including increased rumination and lower well-being.”
Further, the researchers found that “conversations happened more frequently during in-office workdays, highlighting the social value of physical presence in the workplace. Meaningful interpersonal exchanges at work don’t just help people feel connected, they also help them perform.”
The study was published in the journal Emotion.
