Relationships between work environments, psychological environments and psychological well-being.
Work environments appear to have both positive and negative impacts on the psychological well-being of workers. This paper reviews a number of models and theories that have addressed this issue. First, those aspects of the psychological work environment, which are thought to be most relevant to well-being, are described. Second, a number of models and theories are considered. How then is it possible to best understand how the work environment creates a psychological environment, which in turn may affect psychological well-being? While some of the available approaches are general and offer descriptive frameworks, others do attempt to explain the relationships between a more narrow set of work characteristics and well-being. Further, recent approaches focus on explaining emotional reactions at work and the role of the psychological contract. A sound understanding of work and well-being is still some way away. However, focusing on more specific kinds of well-being, taking account of other contextual influences, and looking at both the salubrious and harmful effects of the work environment are likely to bring about greater understanding.
Briner
R B
RB
Department of Organizational Psychology, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. r.briner@bbk.ac.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008016:Life Change Events; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload