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Problems with bosses lead to a strained relationship with your partner
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Being insulted by your boss can impact not only your career growth and professional skills, but also your personal relationships, according to a study by researchers at Baylor University.
The study involved 280 full-time employees and their partners. 57% of the employees were men with 5 years of work experience, 75% of the employees had children and lived with them. The average age of the employees and their partners was 36 years. The average length of the relationship with the partner was 10 years. Of those surveyed, 46% were subordinate employees, 47% worked for a public organization, 40% worked for a private organization, 9% worked for non-profit organizations, and 5% were self-employed. Of the partner group, 43% were men and 78% of them were also employed.
Psychologists have found that the stress and tension caused by abuse from superiors affects the employee's partner, which affects the marital relationship and, subsequently, the entire family life as a whole.
The longer the relationship with the partner, the less negative impact on the family. Abuse of the position of the leader was manifested by hysterics, rudeness and public criticism.
"It is possible that power abuse increases relationship tensions, making the worker less motivated and less likely to engage in positive interactions with the partner and other family members," said study co-author Ferguson Merideth.
"These findings have enormous implications for organizations and their leaders, and highlight the need to prevent leaders from behaving in an insensitive and hostile manner," said study author Dawn Carlson of Baylor University.
Organizations should encourage and assist subordinates in such situations to buffer the negative impact on the family, the study says.
"Employers should take steps to prevent or stop violence and empower employees to intervene. This research expands our understanding of how stress affects workers' lives outside of work," Carlson said.