Job Stress Feeding into Marriage

A recent study by industrial psychologist Dr. Michael Aamodt examined occupations and divorce rates. His research found a correlation between working in high-stress and extroverted jobs with long or unpredictable hours and increased likelihood for getting divorce.His research paper listed some of the occupations with higher chances of splitting up to be nurses, psychiatrists, dancers, massage therapists, and bartenders. Podiatrists, dentists and optometrists had a lower risk. Clinical psychologist Nic Beets said that people working in medicine, as well as flight crew and shift workers, were most at-risk.

Though it is difficult to predict likelihood of splitting up based on occupation alone without looking into the specifics of the relationship itself, psychologist Nathan Gaunt says that certain careers can cause workers “to suffer compassion fatigue.” In some occupations that require people to take care of others, it becomes stressful to come home.

Gaunt stated that it is important to prioritize and possible to maintain a great relationship even when you have a stressful job. “Work is becoming more invasive in our lives. People can feel lonely, ignored, isolated because their partner is working too hard or bringing stress home,” he explained, “People should decide what aspects of the job can be handed back, handled or managed more effectively. Everything should be balanced.”

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