scholarly journals Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPsychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences.MethodsWe used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.ResultsWomen reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).ConclusionsSatisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPsychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under 18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women.Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41).Conclusions Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study collected in 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 years (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Index (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having minor children, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41). Conclusion Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Viertiö ◽  
Olli Kiviruusu ◽  
Maarit Piirtola ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected in the years 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n = 96,668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 of age (n = 34,468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having children under18 years of age, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to examine association between having work-family conflict with the likelihood for psychological distress. We first performed the models separately for men and women. Then interaction by gender was tested in the combined data for those independent variables where gender differences appeared probable in the analyses conducted separately for men and women. Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41). Conclusions Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.


1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane L. Hughes ◽  
Ellen Galinsky

This study examined the hypothesis that gender differences in psychological distress are mediated by job and family role conditions. Previous research has failed to directly test such mediational hypotheses but rather has inferred effects of role conditions from simple role-occupancy variables. The sample consisted of full-time employed married respondents including 161 women with full-time employed spouses, 142 men with nonemployed spouses, and 126 men with full-time employed spouses. Although the sample reported low psychological symptomatology overall, the women in dual-earner families reported more psychological symptomatology than did either group of men. Hierarchical regression equations indicated that work and family conditions fully attenuated this gender differential. Women in dual-earner families also reported less job enrichment, less time at work, and more household labor inequity than did either group of men. They also reported more childcare difficulty than did men with nonemployed spouses. Work-family interference predicted psychological symptomatology and partially accounted for its relationship with some job and family conditions. We discuss processes through which gender affects psychological distress.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Chung ◽  
Xi Wen Chan ◽  
Paul Lanier ◽  
Peace Wong Yuh Ju

Objective:To identify profiles of parents’ work-family balance (WFB) and social support and examine their links with parenting stress and marital conflict.Background:As part of the “Circuit-breaker” social distancing measure to address COVID-19, the government of Singapore closed schools and workplaces from April-May 2020. Although this helped reduce transmission rates, for working parents, this period had been a challenging experience of working from home while providing care for children full-time. Problems in the work-home interface can have a significant impact on parenting and marital harmony.Method:We collected data from 258 parents in Singapore using online surveys. Latent profile analysis was used to identify profiles of parents’ WFB and spousal and employer support. Linear regression was used to examine links between profiles with parenting stress and marital conflicts. Results:Results indicated three distinct profiles of WFB and social support levels: (a) Strong (43%), (b) Moderate (38%), and (c) Poor (19%). Mothers were more likely than fathers to be in the Moderate and Poor profiles. One key finding is that profiles characterized by poorer WFB were found to be linked with higher parenting stress and increased marital conflicts. Conclusion:There are important variations in parents’ abilities to balance work and family and levels of social support received. Lock-downs can be detrimental to parenting and marital harmony especially for parents with poor WFB and weak social support. Implications:Any attention given to supporting working parents is vital and urgent to counter any problems in the work–family interface during a lock-down


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. LAYOUTING
Author(s):  
Sony Wijaya

Work and family are two domains where adults spend most of their time, and this can lead to role conflict. This study aimed to examine the correlation between social support and work-family enrichment with psychological well-being among married nurses. This research was quantitative study conducted through cross sectional design. The method used for data collection was questionnaires, including work-family enrichment, social support, and  psychological well-being questionnaires. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, with the inclusion criteria was married nurses who have children. The participants of this study were 100 nurses at Gibran Medika Utama healthcare. The statistical analysis was done by using regression test. The results obtained were: (1) there was a significant correlation between social support and work-family enrichment with psychological well-being (F = 26 036; p 0.05; R square = 0.214), (2) social support had a significant correlation with psychological well-being (r=0.252, p 0.05), and (3) work-family enrichment had a significant correlation with psychological well-being (r 0.219; p 0.05).  Social support and work-family enrichment has significant correlation with psychological well-being, so it is suggested for the organization that it is necessary to conduct programs that consider work family balance. Further research is also suggested to involve other variables such as personality and life satisfaction.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Viertiö ◽  
O Kiviruusu ◽  
M Piirtola ◽  
J Kaprio ◽  
T Korhonen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Women suffer from psychological distress more often than men. Our aim was to investigate the potential contribution of work-family balance to this gender difference. Methods Questionnaire data from the nationally representative 2013 Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (target population all adults aged 20 years or over, n = 88 377, response rate 53%), was restricted in the current analysis to those who were working and who had minor children (n = 26 442). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Index (MHI-5, cut off value &lt; =52). Participants answered six questions on balancing work and family demands (yes/no). We used logistic regression adjusted for age, education and marital status. Results Women reported more distress than men (12.4% and 10.2% respectively, p = 0.000). We found statistically significant interactions between gender and two work-family demands (both p = 0.010): “I sometimes neglect my family when I am wholly absorbed in my work” was associated with distress in women (OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.11-1.49), but not in men (OR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.79-1.14). “I feel inadequacy as a parent” had stronger association with distress in men (OR = 3.07, 95%CI 2.56-3.69) than in women (OR = 2.31, 95%CI 2.00-2.65). Both men and women had less psychological distress if they reported stopping thinking about their work at home or having more energy to be with the children when they also went to work. Correspondingly, they had more psychological distress if they felt they were neglecting home issues because of work or found hard to concentrate on work because of home issues. Common-law marriage was associated with psychological distress in women (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.22-1.68), but not in men (OR = 1.11, 95%CI 0.91-1.36). Conclusions Women felt distress about neglecting family due to being absorbed in their work while men did not. Feelings of inadequacy as a parent were associated with distress more in men. Key messages Both women and men struggle to coordinate work and family, but expectations how job is divided may differ by gender. Actions to improve coordination between working life and family life are needed, both within families and by political decisions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hieu Nguyen ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang

AbstractThis study responds to calls for theory and research on work–family aspects in entrepreneurship research. This study examines the role of work–family conflict, work–family enhancement and social support on small business owners’ (SBOs) well-being. Drawing from The Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) panel data, the sample is restricted to SBOs, married with children under the age of 14 during 2010–2011 (two waves), totaling 167 SBOs. Results revealed that work–family conflict has a negative direct effect on mental health, job, family and life satisfactions. Similarly, work–family enhancement was found to have a direct positive effect on job, family and life satisfaction but not mental health. A significant interaction term also suggested that work–family enhancement moderated the relationship between work–family conflict and SBOs’ job satisfaction. Finally social support was found to have positive main effect on both subjective and psychological well-being. The interventions to well-being of SBOs should aim to balance the work and family lives of SBOs as well as making sure they have adequate social support networks. For public policy makers, support programs should extend from traditional means to balancing work–family matters for this particular occupation. Aside from broadening existing knowledge on the effects of work–family conflict, enhancement and social support, this is one of the first studies to examine well-being as a measure of success for SBOs. Additionally, the use of cross-wave data in the present study helps us to reduce this problem and provide a much stronger causal relationship between the focal variables of interest.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106907272199427
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Chaoping Li

The aim of this study was to translate the Multidimensional Workaholism Scale (MWS) into Chinese and then test its reliability and validity among full-time Chinese employees in two stages. In Study 1 ( N = 220), the MWS was translated and exploratory factor analysis was conducted resulting in a four-factor solution consistent with the original MWS: motivational, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. In Study 2 ( N = 425), confirmatory factor analysis showed that a four-factor, bifactor model was the best fit for the data. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance models were tested which demonstrated that the Chinese version of the MWS did not differ across gender, age, and job position groups. Finally, workaholism and engagement were related and distinct from one another, and they correlated with emotional exhaustion, work-family conflict and life well-being uniquely. This study indicated that the Chinese version of the MWS is a valid and reliable tool for Chinese employees, and this has important practical implications for the individual health and career development of Chinese working adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7339
Author(s):  
Vânia Sofia Carvalho ◽  
Alda Santos ◽  
Maria Teresa Ribeiro ◽  
Maria José Chambel

The lockdown, in the COVID-19 pandemic, is considered an external crisis that evokes innumerous changes in individuals lives. One of the changes is the work and family dynamics. Based on boundary theory we examine the mediated role of work and family balance and boundary segmentation behavior in the relationship between boundary violations and teleworkers’ stress and well-being. However, because women and men live their work and family differently, gender may condition the way teleworkers lead with boundary violations and boundary segmentation. Hypotheses were tested through moderated mediation modeling using data collected of 456 teleworkers during lockdown. In line with our expectations, teleworkers who have suffered most boundary violations were those with least boundary segmentation behaviors and with least work-family balance which, in turn was related to higher burnout and lower flourishing. Furthermore, gender was found to moderate the relationship between boundary violations from work-to-family and segmentation behavior in the same direction and this relationship was stronger for females than for males. We discuss implications for future research and for managing teleworkers, creating sustainability, both during a crise and stable days.


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