Pretending to smile at work could lead some employees to drink a lot, according to a new study

A new study published in March suggests that employees simulating smiles at work in certain industries could lead them to drink.

Alicia Grandey, a professor of psychology and co-author of the study, believes that research should lead some employers to avoid "service with a smile" policies.

The paper published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology by researchers at Penn State and the University of Buffalo suggests that alcohol consumption patterns can be predicted by the amount of "emotional work" that is expected to occur. a worker may have to do it.

Photo of an archive of a smiling woman taking orders at a restaurant. The study followed many service sector workers who often had to simulate their emotions in certain contexts

Research has shown that alcohol consumption is exacerbated for the most impulsive employees in jobs where they have to control their emotions during one-off service meetings with customers, such as sales outlets or call centers.

"Simulating and suppressing emotions in clients was linked to alcohol consumption beyond work-related stress or a negative feeling," said Grandey in Penn State News.

"It's not just the discomfort that drives them to have a drink," said Grandey. "On the contrary, the more they have to control their negative emotions at work, the less they are able to control their alcohol consumption after work."

The study followed the consumption patterns of employees facing the public in areas such as catering, nursing and education, with data from telephone interviews with 1,592 workers from from a larger survey called National Survey on Workplace Stress and Health.

Participants were asked about how often they feigned or suppressed their emotions, also known as "superficial reactions," at their workplace, and how often and how much they would consume later.

Folder Photo of an elderly woman visited at home by her caregiver. Researchers found fewer problems with post-work consumption related to those related to jobs that build long-term service relationships such as nurses

According to the study, maintaining emotional control at work could use self-control that is no longer available to prevent the consumption of alcohol.

The researchers also measured levels of impulsivity and feelings of autonomy at the workplace.

Surface effect data predict higher alcohol consumption after work for employees with "low self-help jobs or traits".

Employees more impulsive in jobs with unique customers, such as retailers or call centers, tended to have even more exacerbated problems with alcohol consumption.

"If you're impulsive or constantly saying how to do your job, it may be harder to control your emotions all day," says Grandey, "and when you get home, you will not be able to stop with this mastery of itself. a glbad.

Workers in these types of jobs are often younger, in entry-level positions, and may lack self-control and financial and social rewards that can offset the emotional costs of surface play.

Researchers have found fewer problems with post-work consumption related to those who create long-term service relationships, such as nurses who see patients and teachers who deal with students.

"Smiling as part of your job seems like a very positive thing, but doing it all day can be tiring," added Grandey.

"In these jobs, there is also often money related to showing positive emotions and retaining negative feelings. Money gives you the motivation to override your natural tendencies, but doing it all day can wear.

The researcher believes that surface work is less likely to create hardship for employees when the type of work they perform is personally rewarding.