Take Home Messages:

There is a high prevalence of psychological distress in the workplace but low levels of treatment.

While psychological distress affects workers in many different industries and positions, there are ways to identify workers who are at an increased risk of developing distress.

 Work-related variables that increase distress include:

• Workers’ perceptions that they are expected to work greater than 60 or less than 30 hours a week;
• Pressure to work overtime;
• Gender reversal in traditional employee roles (e.g. females in labourer roles or men in administrative roles); and
• Working in sales.

Working in blue collar industries decreases psychological distress.

Non work-related factors that decrease distress include:

• Higher levels of education; and
• Marriage or cohabitation.

Problems in employee mental health are associated with substantially decreased productivity. Employee screening may be an appropriate way to identify at-risk employees, and encourage the seeking of treatment where appropriate.

Why the study matters:

Employers should not believe that their workers are shielded from mental health problems. Screening and detection of employees at risk is beneficial. Problems in employee mental health are linked with decreased productivity, increased absence from work and increased employee attrition.

Many occupational mental health programs 'react once the disease presents'. Identifying employees at risk and knowing what contributes to psychological distress can guide the employer in developing a mental health prevention program.

What the study involved:

Employees of large public and private sector companies were asked to fill out a questionnaire.

Questions were asked regarding:

• Mental health problems (depression, anxiety, other emotional problems, substance use);
• Job category;
• Employee working hours; and
• Demographic information (age, marital status, education level).

Summary of study findings:

The researchers found that there was a high level of psychological distress in the workplace. Most employees were not seeking treatment.

Mental health problems

• 4.5% of employees had high levels of psychological distress;
• One third of employees with distress believed they did not have a mental health problem;
• Only 22% of employees with high psychological distress were currently in treatment; and
• Females were more likely to recognise increased distress and seek treatment.

Job Category

• Sales staff have highest levels of psychological distress;
• Females working in traditionally male occupations, and males working in traditionally female occupations have increased distress; and
• Psychological distress is lower in blue-collar than in white-collar industries.

Employee working hours

• Being expected to work more than 60 hours a week is associated with the highest levels of psychological distress; and
• Working less than 30 hours a week is associated with increased distress.

Demographics

• Gender, age and number of children have no affect on psychological distress;
• Marriage or cohabitation are associated with lowest distress; and
• As education levels increase, psychological distress decreases.

Original research:

The prevalence of Psychological Distress in Employees and Associated Occupational Risk Factors

Hilton MF, Whiteford HA, Sheridan JS, Cleary CM, Chant DC, Wang PS, Kessler RC.

J Occup Environ Med. 2008 Jul;50(7):746-57.

Link to PubMed abstract