Detection and Management of Personality and Psychosomatic Disorders among Industrial Personnel

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Lowered working efficiency, absenteeism, high accident rate, and grievances may result from conflicts among workers superior, equal or inferior in the industrial scale and from stresses such as pressure of production. A method, using psychiatric interviews and the Cornell Selectee Index and Cornell-Word Form, was instituted at the Caterpillar Tractor Co. to insure proper placement and to maintain the mental health of employees. Seven hundred and fourteen employees were interviewed by a psychiatrist; 415 completed, in addition, either the Cornell Selectee Index or the Cornell Word Form; 350 completed both. Veterans and personnel having no military experience were studied separately. Of 508 veterans applying for employment 15% were found to have moderately severe or severe personality disturbances. These men were at first given work which did not involve heavy machinery or continuous pressure for production, while those without personality disturbances were fitted immediately into the production routine. Twenty-three per cent of veterans with personality disturbance at the time of employment were referred for psychiatric care; whereas 4% of those considered “normal” were referred. Such care was indicated because of poor work adjustment and complaints such as anxiety, depression or headaches. As a result of the selective placement and psychotherapy the percentage of those with and without personality disturbance still working, were almost the same. Two hundred and seven persons without military experience were examined to determine the effectiveness of psychiatric appraisal and care in other aspects of the industrial situation. These were grouped as follows: a) Persons applying for employment, including those formerly employed. b) Persons already employed, in order to discover the incidence of personality disturbance and the effect of therapy with a view toward instituting periodic psychiatric examinations. c) Employees requesting transfers to other positions. d) A group of employees who recognized the origin of their difficulties in working and requested therapy. Of the small series of employees without military experience who had personality disturbances and received psychotherapy, the large majority were benefited.