Workplace Subjective Alienation and Individuals’ well-being

Authors

  • Karam Adibifar Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Melissa Monson MSU Denver

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v9i3.669

Abstract

There are many sociological studies that have consistently demonstrated the importance of workplace alienation and its association with human health. However, nearly all research has focused on the objective dimension of alienation, overlooking the significance and in-depth understanding of subjective or covert forms of alienation. The purpose of this study is to explore the role and impact of subjective alienation on the mental and physical well-being of individuals, utilizing secondary analysis of data. The spillover effect of this type of alienation in relation to workplace behavior can significantly impact many aspects of people’s lives. Generally, alienation is the feeling of being disconnected and often occurs in the presence of, or presumed differentiation in social status. It lies in discrepancy and contradiction between subjective emotion and objective sensation; it is an inauthentic human relationship. This study finds that as a subtle form of bullying, covert alienation can produce significant levels of stress, which has countless consequences including emotional, financial, and physical problems. The findings also suggest that a lack of support in helping an alienated individual results in further alienation, leading to deviant behavior. Overall, this study may be helpful to organizations in recognizing maladaptive behaviors that might cause workplace alienation. Moreover, this study can be additional avenue to literature reviews, specifically in the area of subjective alienation.

Author Biographies

Karam Adibifar, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Karam Adibifar is an assistant professor of Sociology at Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado. Karam is a member of the Mid-South Sociological Association and Pacific Sociological Association. His areas of research interest include the sociology of health, family studies, and technology as in relation to alienation.    

Melissa Monson, MSU Denver

Melissa Monson is an associate professor of sociology at Metropolitan State University of Denver.  She has been a fulltime faculty at Metropolitan states since 2005. Her research interests are media, video games and gender issues.

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Published

2020-09-30

How to Cite

Adibifar, K., & Monson, M. (2020). Workplace Subjective Alienation and Individuals’ well-being. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 9(3), 22–37. https://doi.org/10.26458/jedep.v9i3.669

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