Managing a laboratory means balancing deadlines, team needs, and unexpected equipment issues—all potential stress triggers. New research led by Penn State scientists finds that feeling a greater sense of control over these daily stressors can make them easier to resolve. On days when participants reported higher levels of perceived control, they were more than 60 percent more likely to resolve problems quickly, such as addressing conflicts or fixing workflow disruptions.

For lab managers, the study reinforces how cultivating psychological control—through planning, prioritization, and communication—can reduce stress in the lab and improve both individual and team performance.

How a sense of control impacts stress resolution

The study, published in Communications Psychology, analyzed more than 1,700 adults over 10 years as part of the Midlife in the United States Survey (MIDUS). Participants documented daily stressors, such as interpersonal tensions or workload challenges, and rated their sense of control over each one.

Researchers found that:

• Feeling “some” control instead of “a little” made participants 62 percent more likely to resolve the issue that same day
• This relationship strengthened with age—suggesting that control can improve as people gain experience managing complex challenges
• Daily control levels fluctuated, showing that a sense of control is not fixed but can be developed

“Even small boosts in how much control people feel they have over everyday hassles make it more likely that those hassles actually get resolved,” said David Almeida, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State.

Building control into laboratory management

The findings align with leadership research showing that self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to influence outcomes—is a critical factor in effective decision-making. In laboratory environments, perceived control can be enhanced through structure and delegation:

• Break complex problems into smaller tasks to create early wins
• Use scheduling tools and visual boards to clarify progress and priorities
• Encourage team autonomy so staff feel empowered to address challenges before they escalate
• Reflect daily on what went well and where improvements can be made

These practices not only reduce individual stress but can also improve overall lab culture by modeling calm, solution-oriented behavior.

Turning control into a team skill

Feeling in control is not just a personal trait—it’s a skill leaders can cultivate within their teams. By creating predictable systems, encouraging clear communication, and giving staff authority over their work, lab managers can help reduce stress across the organization.

As Almeida notes, “Learning to find and act on these pockets of control in daily life may not only reduce stress but also support long-term health and well-being.” For laboratories, that mindset translates directly into fewer operational bottlenecks, faster conflict resolution, and a more resilient team culture.

This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.