scholarly journals Working hours, common mental disorder and suicidal ideation among junior doctors in Australia: a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e033525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Petrie ◽  
Joanna Crawford ◽  
Anthony D LaMontagne ◽  
Allison Milner ◽  
Jessica Dean ◽  
...  

ObjectiveDespite concern regarding high rates of mental illness and suicide amongst the medical profession, the link between working hours and doctors’ mental health remains unclear. This study examines the relationship between average weekly working hours and junior doctors’ (JDs’) mental health in Australia.Design and participantsA randomly selected sample of 42 942 Australian doctors were invited to take part in an anonymous Beyondblue National Mental Health Survey in 2013, of whom 12 252 doctors provided valid data (response rate approximately 27%). The sample of interest comprised 2706 full-time graduate medical trainees in various specialties, at either intern, prevocational or vocational training stage. Consultants and retired doctors were excluded.Outcome measuresMain outcomes of interest were caseness of common mental disorder (CMD) (assessed using a cut-off of 4 as a threshold on total General Health Questionnaire-28 score), presence of suicidal ideation (SI) (assessed with a single item) and average weekly working hours. Logistic regression modelling was used to account for the impact of age, gender, stage of training, location of work, specialty, marital status and whether JDs had trained outside Australia.ResultsJDs reported working an average of 50.1 hours per week (SD=13.4). JDs who worked over 55 hours a week were more than twice as likely to report CMD (adjusted OR=2.05; 95% CI 1.62 to 2.59, p<0.001) and SI (adjusted OR=2.00; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.81, p<0.001) compared to those working 40–44 hours per week.ConclusionsOur results show that around one in four JDs are currently working hours that are associated with a doubling of their risk of common mental health problems and SI. These findings suggest that management of working hours represents an important focus for workplaces to improve the mental health of medical trainees.

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Power ◽  
M. Clarke ◽  
I. Kelleher ◽  
H. Coughlan ◽  
F. Lynch ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIncreasing rates of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) are a cause of concern both in Ireland and internationally, but little longitudinal research has examined the link between psychiatric disorder in young people and NEET status.MethodsThe Challenging Times (CT) Study is a longitudinal, population-based study of psychopathology among 212 young Irish people. Clinical interviews were performed at two time points: 12–15 years and 19–24 years.ResultsNEET status in young adulthood was associated with a sevenfold increased risk of current suicidal ideation. This result was independent of prior adolescent mental disorder. NEET young people had a fourfold increased odds of being diagnosed with a mental disorder in childhood or early adolescence compared with their economically active peers. NEET young people were at an almost threefold increased risk of any mental health disorder a twofold increased risk of anxiety disorder and threefold increased odds of suicide attempts over their lifetime compared with economically active peers.ConclusionsNEET young people are at increased risk for mental disorder and suicidal ideation. The association is bidirectional, as prior mental disorder in adolescence appeared to account for much of the association between NEET status and current mental health problems. However, economic inactivity conveys an increased risk for suicidal ideation over and above that due to prior disorder. Our findings provide a compelling economic and societal argument for early intervention and treatment of mental disorder and the importance of vocational interventions for reducing suicide risk in young adults.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257973
Author(s):  
Batala Barsisa ◽  
Habtamu Derajew ◽  
Kibrom Haile ◽  
Gebremeskel Mesafint ◽  
Shegaye Shumet

Background Common mental disorders are the major public healthproblem that affects mothers with young children. Although there were a number of studies done on maternal mental health problems, they were largely focused on perinatal period. However, there is scarcity of information on the magnitude and correlates of these mental health problems beyond perinatal period and due concern is not given mainly in LMICs including our country. Objective To assess the prevalence and factors associated with common mental disorderamong mothers of under-five year children at Arbaminch town, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in May and June 2019 at Arbaminch town. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 776 participants. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess common mental disorder (CMD). Data was coded and entered in EPIDATA3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated to common mental disorder. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant and strength of the association was presented by adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Result The prevalence of common mental disorder among mothers with children aged below five years was 36.6% with (95% CI, 33.2, 39.9). Being single/divorced/widowed [AOR = 3.64, 95% CI:(1.47, 8.99), chronic medical illness [AOR = 3.25, 95% CI:(2.10, 5.04)], exposure to two/more stressful events [AOR = 1.62, 95% CI:(1.11, 2.36)], poor social support [AOR = 2.59, 95% CI:(1.62, 4.14)], mothers living with cigarette smoker husband [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI:(1.19, 3.47)], and mothers physically abused by their spouse [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI:(1.49, 3.74)] were factors associated with common mental disorder. Conclusion and recommendation The prevalence of common mental disorder was high among mothers with children aged below five years compared to the general population. Being single/divorced/widowed, chronic medicalillness, exposure to two/more stressful events, poor social support, mothers living with cigarette smoker husbandand physically abuse by their spouse were factors associated with common mental disorder. Early detection and management of these maternal mental health problems is vital for mothers’ wellbeing as well as growth and development of children.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ms Katherine Petrie ◽  
Joanna Crawford ◽  
Fiona Shand ◽  
Samuel B. Harvey

Author(s):  
Meta Lavrič ◽  
Vita Štukovnik

Providing continuous coverage of key services, shift work is a necessity of the modern world. It varies according to the number and length of the shifts and according to scheduling patterns. However, it is common to all forms that they ensure the smooth running of a particular service with the 24-hour presence of staff. This means that working time partly or completely overlaps with night sleep, causing an imbalance between circadian rhythms and the requirements of the environment. Aforesaid imbalance has a negative effect on sleep and can lead to sleep disorders, which in turn cause mental health problems. In addition, the development of unhealthy behaviours developed by shift workers to manage their working hours (especially night work) and the inconsistency of their working hours with those of the general population also lead to poorer mental health, lower quality of social life and family conflicts. However, since shift work cannot be completely eliminated, it is necessary to consider designing the measures to reduce the negative impact of shift work on the mental health and well-being of workers, both at the individual level, as well as at the level of working organisations. Some of the key measures are presented in the article.


2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107819
Author(s):  
Samira de Groot ◽  
Karin Veldman ◽  
Benjamin C Amick III ◽  
Ute Bültmann

ObjectivesMental health problems (MHPs) during childhood and adolescence are negatively associated with having a paid job in young adulthood. Yet, little is known about how young adults function at work, that is, do they experience difficulties in meeting their job demands given their health state. This longitudinal study aims to examine the impact of MHPs from childhood to young adulthood on young adults’ work functioning (WF).MethodsData were used from 1004 participants in the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey, a Dutch prospective cohort study with 18-year follow-up. MHP trajectories, including 11, 13.5, 16, 19, 22 and 26 age points, were identified using growth mixture models. WF was assessed at age 29 with the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire 2.0 (WRFQ). Regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between MHP trajectories and WF.ResultsYoung adults with high-stable trajectories of internalising and externalising problems reported lower WF (mean WRFQ scores of 70.5 and 70.7, respectively) than those with low-stable trajectories (78.4 and 77.2), that is, they experience difficulties in meeting the work demands for more than one work day per full-time work week. Young adults with moderate-stable or decreasing MHP trajectories reported lower WF scores compared with those with low-stable trajectories.ConclusionsBoth persistent high and elevated levels of MHPs from childhood to young adulthood are associated with lower WF scores in young adulthood compared with low-level MHPs. Occupational healthcare professionals should support young workers with a history of MHPs to optimise their work functioning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Eun Lee ◽  
Myoung-Hee Kim ◽  
Min Choi ◽  
Hyoung-Ryoul Kim ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi

Abstract Background Working hour regulation in Korea is being revised to allow increasing variability in number of working hours. We sought to investigate the association between variability in the number of daily or weekly working hours with or without long working hours (> 52 h/w) and mental health among South Korean workers. Methods We used data from 28,345 full-time, non-shift employed workers working more than 30 h per week participating in the Korean Working Condition Survey in 2017. We defined six groups according to variability in daily or weekly working hours (same number vs different number) and weekly working hours (31–40, 41–52, > 52 h per week). Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for self-reported depressive symptoms and anxiety were calculated using workers with same number of working hours/31–40 h per week as the reference. Results Variability in number of work hours every day or week combined with > 52 working hours per week showed the highest risk of depressive symptoms (OR = 5.13, 95% CI 3.25–8.11) and anxiety (OR = 3.75, 95% CI 2.39–5.88) compared to the reference group, controlling for age, sex, education, occupation, industry, salary, workers’ choice of working hours and overtime payment. Workers working ≤52 h/w were adversely impacted by variable working hours as well. Conclusions Variable daily or weekly working hours were associated with poorer self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms in Korea, among full-time and non-shift workers. Reform of the Korean Labor Standards Act warrants consideration.


Author(s):  
Linus Wittmann ◽  
Gunter Groen ◽  
Janusz Ogorka ◽  
Astrid Jörns-Presentati

AbstractEncounters between individuals with a mental disorder and police forces can be harmful and dangerous for both parties involved. Previous research explored mostly police officers’ subjective experience of these encounters and focused on their recommendations. The present study takes the perspective of individuals with a mental disorder and investigates their subjective experience of dealing with the police. Thirteen semi-structural interviews were conducted with individuals with a history of mental health problems who have had encounters with the police and experienced contact-based anti-stigmatization interventions as consultants. Interviews revolved around the subjective experience of these police encounters. Questionnaires were used to inquire about context factors, individuals’ perceptions of police officers, and their sense of security during these encounters. Furthermore, individuals were asked to rate police officers’ ability to recognize signs and symptoms of ill mental health and give recommendations in regard to adequate communication strategies, interventions, and police training. The results indicate that encounters were experienced predominantly as positive and non-threatening. Participants emphasized the importance of communication strategies with a focus on empathy and respect. Keeping personal space and satisfying basic needs was recommended. Contact-based anti-stigmatization interventions were regarded as an effective approach to reduce stigma. Empathy and respect are perceived as key strategies for police officers when dealing with individuals with a mental disorder. To promote these strategies, trialogical anti-stigmatization interventions and crisis intervention training, including communication skills and face-to-face contact, are promising approaches.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Annika Lexén ◽  
Maria Emmelin ◽  
Lars Hansson ◽  
Bengt Svensson ◽  
Susann Porter ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training (T3) using knowledge and attitude scales and a questionnaire on supporting behaviors. SEAM includes training in Mental Health First Aid, presentations and discussions on current research on work and mental health, and strategies and communication guidelines to use when meeting service users and employers as part of the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems. SEAM also includes a homepage with targeted employer information. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: SEAM significantly increased rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge of mental health (T1-T2: z = –2.037, p = 0.042; T2-T3: z = –5.093, p = 0.001), and improved their attitudes towards persons with mental health problems (T1-T2: z = 4.984, p = 0.001). Professionals (50–60%) also estimated that they had increased their use of supporting strategies towards service users and employers. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that SEAM can increase mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and lead to a greater focus on service users’ resources and work ability, as well as on employers’ support needs.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Farinaz Havaei

Workplace violence is a prevalent phenomenon in healthcare, particularly among nursing professionals. Exposure to workplace violence may be direct through firsthand involvement, indirect through secondhand witnessing, or both. Even though implications for victims of workplace violence have been well-studied, less is known about the various types of exposure and their effects on nurse mental health. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workplace-violence exposure types on the mental health of nurses, while accounting for the intensity of the incident/s. This study employs an exploratory correlational design with survey methods. Nurses from British Columbia (BC), Canada, were invited by the provincial nurses’ union to complete an electronic survey in Fall 2019. A total of 2958 responses from direct-care nurses in acute-care settings were analyzed using logistic regression. The results showed that mental-health problems increased with cumulative exposure; even though nurses with solely indirect exposure to workplace violence did not report greater mental-health problems, those experiencing solely direct exposure, or both direct and indirect exposure, were two to four times more likely to report high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and burnout compared to their counterparts with no exposure. There is an urgent need for better mental-health support, prevention policies and practices that take into account the type of workplace-violence exposure.


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