Excessive criticism harms employees, including their physical well-being
The physical state is affected by cognitive dissonance, as proven by researchers
Unpleasant rumination leads to involuntary body position changes, resulting in potential pain
Interestingly, the participants' work became more difficult as scientists expressed greater dissatisfaction during the experiment
Employees' physical health can be adversely affected by the cognitive dissonance resulting from criticism
A team of researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Michigan in the United States undertook a study to investigate the impact of mental stress on physical well-being.
The study findings indicated that when individuals engage in stress-induced rumination, they unknowingly alter their body positions. These postural changes exert additional strain on the neck and lower back, resulting in physical discomfort and pain.
During the experiment, volunteers wearing specialised motion sensors were assigned a simple task: moving a box to a specific location. Over time, the scientists progressively introduced criticism, convincing the participants that they were not performing the task correctly.
As the level of dissatisfaction expressed by the scientists increased, the participants found it increasingly challenging to carry out the task. This led to a 10-20% rise in the load on their backs compared to the initial stages of the experiment.
Additionally, the subjects experienced not only back pain but also elevated blood pressure and heart rate, along with a worsening of their emotional state.
The study’s outcomes hold potential significance in promoting a safe working environment within companies. Experts emphasise the importance for employers to recognise that psychosocial stressors, particularly cognitive dissonance, can have detrimental effects on employees’ physical health. Simply put, excessive criticism of employees can harm them.
