Summary: Sending and checking email outside of working hours increases stress, and personality differences influence how people use email and what they find stressful.
Source: BPS.
Email Use, Personality, and Work-Related Stress
A recent study presented at a professional psychology conference finds that email, while essential for many jobs, can be a significant source of stress. The research shows that not only the volume of messages but also when and how people engage with email contributes to their stress levels. Importantly, individual personality differences shape email habits and determine which aspects of email are most stressful for a person.
The study was presented by John Hackston of OPP Ltd at the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology annual conference in Liverpool on 6 January 2017. Data came from an online survey completed by 368 participants who had previously taken a personality type questionnaire. The survey allowed the researchers to link specific email behaviors and reactions to established personality preferences.
Key Findings
- People with a “big picture” preference—those who focus on overarching ideas and future possibilities—were more likely than people with a more practical, detail-oriented approach to check email outside standard work hours, including on weekends and during holidays, as well as immediately before and after the workday.
- Engaging with email outside of work hours is associated with increased stress. The study also found that the sheer number of messages sent and received contributes to feelings of overwhelm.
- Managers reported a higher tendency to feel that email wastes their time, and they were more likely than non-managers to describe email as overwhelming or stressful, regardless of personality type.
- Different personality preferences were linked to different sources of email-related stress. This variation allowed researchers to develop tailored recommendations to help people manage email in ways that suit their individual strengths and tendencies.
Practical Implications
While the study did not prescribe a single solution for everyone, its findings highlight that one-size-fits-all advice about email is unlikely to be effective. Instead, understanding your own personality preferences can help you adopt email strategies that reduce stress and improve communication with colleagues. The researchers used the survey results to compile guidance aimed at helping individuals and organizations develop healthier email habits.
Common, practical approaches that align with the study’s implications include establishing clear boundaries around when email will be checked, scheduling dedicated times for processing messages, using filters or folders to prioritize critical communications, and setting expectations with colleagues about response times. For managers, in particular, creating team norms for email use—such as minimizing after-hours requests or defining what constitutes urgent communication—can reduce collective stress and clarify responsibilities.
Why Personality Matters
Personality shapes attention, priorities, and communication style. For example, someone who naturally focuses on detail and immediate tasks may find a constantly full inbox disruptive and stressful, while a person who prefers big-picture thinking might tolerate or even seek frequent email contact to stay connected to evolving ideas. Recognizing these tendencies makes it easier to choose strategies that align with personal strengths—reducing unnecessary strain while maintaining effective collaboration.
Source: Kathryn McCullagh, British Psychological Society (BPS).
Event: Study presented at the British Psychological Society Division of Occupational Psychology Annual Conference, Liverpool, January 2017.
Authors and outlets referenced in the original report include the British Psychological Society and the conference presentation by John Hackston. Please refer to official BPS materials or conference records for the formal citation.