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

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.

Stay at Home and Teach: A Comparative Study of Psychosocial Risks Between Spain and Mexico During the Pandemic

“…Among them, teachers of preschool and primary and secondary education have had to assume their important role in the best possible way, with limited means and resources and with the uncertainty of the moment and with the enormous responsibility that comes with educating and training children and adolescents, helping them to cope with the crisis and often providing relief as much as possible with homework and how to take school home (Boletín Oficial del Estado, 2020; Faro de Vigo, 2020). Considering that teachers are vulnerable to burnout and job stress (Zapf et al, 1999;Jennings and Greenberg, 2009;Kaur and Singh, 2014;Yerdelen et al, 2016;Travers, 2017;Makhdoom et al, 2019;Martínez-Monteagudo et al, 2019;McLean et al, 2019b;Schonfeld et al, 2019;Gu et al, 2020), and therefore the negative consequences these can have on their health and professional performance (Bergh et al, 2018;Fornell et al, 2018;Junne et al, 2018; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2020d), it is essential to study how psychosocial risks affect this group at a time of such vulnerability and general demand as the present. The literature on social risks to teachers in a pandemic context is extremely limited; however, it is critical to study the extent to which factors related to teachers' well-being may be affected during a health crisis such as the current one in order to ensure the well-being of teachers and, in turn, the children and adolescents in their care.…”

“…Psychosocial risks arise from poor work design, organization, and management, as well as a poor social context of work, and they may result in negative psychological, physical, and social outcomes such as work-related stress, burnout, or depression (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2020d). More specifically, psychosocial risks have been shown to be related to low job satisfaction (Guadix et al, 2015), health problems (Bergh et al, 2018), work accidents (Fornell et al, 2018), work-related stress (Junne et al, 2018), and burnout (Maslach et al, 2001;Elshaer et al, 2018). Psychosocial risks are closely related to work-related stress, which has been associated with a reduction in social interaction and the ability to concentrate at work, an increase in physiological pain and cardiovascular problems, and a higher incidence of mental illness such as depression and anxiety (Nielsen et al, 2020).…”

Estrés Percibido en Trabajadores De Atención Primaria

“…A nivel mundial, el estrés laboral es considerado como una epidemia global, siendo el único riesgo ocupacional que puede afectar al cien por ciento de los trabajadores/as. Expertos puntualizan que podría generar ausentismo laboral, disminución de la productividad y del rendimiento individual, lo que podría generar alteraciones del estado de salud, aumento de enfermedades y accidentes en los trabajadores/as (1)(2)(3) . Lo expuesto a nivel mundial no dista de lo que sucede en Chile.…”

Das Michelangelo-Phänomen – Relationale Führungskompetenz für das Gesundheitswesen der (digitalen) Zukunft

“…Ein Bereich der hier Aufmerksamkeit verdient ist die Dimension der Führungs-und Beziehungskultur für Mitarbeiter im Gesundheitswesen. Unsere aktuellen Befunde zeigen, dass die Dimensionen "Soziale Beziehungen" und "Führungsqualität" mit zu den bedeutsamsten potentiellen Stressoren am Arbeitsplatz, etwa in Industriebetrieben zählen [1][2][3].…”