The Role of Work-Related Factors in the Development of Psychological Distress and Associated Mental Disorders: Differential Views of Human Resource Managers, Occupational Physicians, Primary Care Physicians and Psychotherapists in Germany.

Florian Junne,Martina Michaelis,Eva Rothermund,Harald Gündel,Monika Rieger,Felicitas Stuber,Stephan Zipfel

doi:10.3390/ijerph15030559

Abstract

Objectives: This study analyses the perceived relevance of stress-dimensions in work-settings from the differential views of Human Resource Managers (HRM), Occupational Physicians (OP), Primary Care Physicians (PCP) and Psychotherapists (PT) in Germany. Methods: Cross-sectional study design, using a self-report questionnaire. Descriptive measures and explorative bivariate methods were applied for group-comparisons. Results are presented as rankings of perceived importance and as polarity profiles of contrasting views. Results: N = 627 participants completed the questionnaires (HRM: n = 172; OP: n = 133; PCP: n = 136; PT: n = 186). The stress dimensions with the highest mean ratings across all four professions were: ‘social relationships in the work place’ (M = 3.55, SD = 0.62) and ‘superiors´ leadership style’ (M = 3.54, SD = 0.64). Mean ratings of perceived relevance of stress dimensions differed most between HRM and the three medical professions. Conclusions: The perceived importance of work-related stress-dimensions seems to be higher in the medical disciplines (OP, PCP, PT) than in the group from the management sector (HRM). However, no fundamental disagreement on the role of work-related stress-dimensions seems to hinder e.g., intensified efforts of cooperation across sectors in tackling the “stress-pandemic” and improving the (mental) health of employees.

Highlights

Work-related psychological stress and stress-associated mental disorders cause a significant burden of disease and an extensive loss of quality of life lost in most industrial countries [1,2,3].Current literature shows that mental disorders are one of the main reasons for years lived with disability (YLD) e.g., 175 millions years all over the world in 2010
The most important specific factor among the investigated items according to the group of Occupational Physicians (OPs) was the ‘superior’s leadership style’ (M = 3.68; SD = 0.55), whereas the least important factor according to OPs was the ‘qualitative working requirements’ (M = 2.97; SD = 0.76)
The results of this study show, that all four groups do see the importance of the investigated work-related stressors as well as the individual risk of employees as determinants in the development of mental disorders

Summary

Introduction

Work-related psychological stress and stress-associated mental disorders cause a significant burden of disease and an extensive loss of quality of life lost in most industrial countries [1,2,3].Current literature shows that mental disorders are one of the main reasons for years lived with disability (YLD) e.g., 175 millions years all over the world in 2010. Public Health 2018, 15, 559; doi:10.3390/ijerph15030559 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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