Changes in psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms: a prospective study in junior physicians.
Am J Ind Med
; 56(12): 1414-22, 2013 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24038041
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
We examined the impact of changes in the psychosocial work environment on depressive symptoms in a sample of junior physicians, a high risk group for stress and mental disorders.METHODS:
This is a three-wave prospective study in 417 junior physicians during their residency in German hospitals. The psychosocial work environment was measured by the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire at Waves 1 and 2, and the depressive symptoms were assessed with the State-Trait Depression Scales at all three waves. Multivariate linear regression was applied for prospective associations between ERI across Waves 1 and 2, and baseline-adjusted depressive symptoms at Wave 3.RESULTS:
Compared with the ERI scores at Wave 1, at Wave 2, and mean scores between the two waves, the baseline-adjusted ERI change scores between the two waves showed slightly better statistical power, predicting depressive symptoms at Wave 3 (ß = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.38-1.18 for increased ERI per SD, ß = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.22-1.06 for increased effort per SD, ß = -0.65, 95% CI = -1.06 to -0.24 for increased reward per SD, and ß = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.27-1.09 for increased overcommitment per SD).CONCLUSIONS:
Negative changes in the psychosocial work environment, specifically increased ERI, are associated with depressive symptoms in German junior physicians. Reducing the non-reciprocity of working life, particularly improving reward at work, may have beneficial effects on prevention of mental health problems in the hospital workplace.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Environment
/
Stress, Psychological
/
Depression
/
Medical Staff, Hospital
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Ind Med
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany