Mental Health in Young Healthcare and Social Work Professionals: Associations with Psychosocial Work Environment Factors

Abstract

Background: Associations between work environment factors and mental health may differ between groups. The study aimed to explore associations between aspects of the psychosocial work environment and mental health among young professionals in four healthcare and social work groups in Norway.Methods: 856 employees were included in this cross-sectional study six years after graduation. The participants completed questionnaires concerned with mental health, work environment, work engagement, and psychological work factors. Data were analyzed with linear and logistic regression analyses.Results: In the whole sample, poorer mental health was associated with higher demands, lower support, lower job satisfaction, more work-home interaction problems, and lower coping in the job. Each unit increase in work-home interaction problems doubled the likelihood of having case-level psychological distress. The strength of the associations between mental health and other factors, such as the demands and support experienced in the job and perceived coping in the job, varied by professional group. Conclusions: Problems concerned with the interaction between work and home were generally associated with poorer mental health. Between professional groups, other independent variables were differently associated with mental health. Work environment factors should receive continued attention in efforts to investigate and promote mental health.