The suppression of negative emotions in elder care

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe two studies that investigate the suppression of negative emotions in the context of elder care, including the emotional job demands that may, together with display rules, elicit negative suppression (Study 1) and the association between negative suppression and job attitudes (Study 2).Design/methodology/approachGroup interviews were conducted to understand the emotional demands of elder care (Study 1), and a survey was administered to direct care providers that included measures of negative suppression, job satisfaction, and job stress (Study 2).FindingsDifficult events with patients (e.g. deterioration) are an emotional demand that may interact with display rules to elicit negative suppression (Study 1). Negative suppression is generally associated with less favorable job attitudes, controlling for individual differences in affectivity (Study 2).Research limitations/implicationsThis investigation is the first both to qualitatively examine the emotional demands of elder care (Study 1) and to empirically demonstrate links between negative suppression and job attitudes (Study 2).Practical implicationsPractitioners face difficulties with recruitment and retention in elder care; the results suggest that negative suppression is a possible point of intervention.Social implicationsThere is a shortage of direct care providers in the context of elder care, and the results of the present investigation potentially suggest how to improve working conditions.Originality/valueThe focus on negative suppression in the context of elder care is unique.