Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

Open Access 01-08-2019 | Original Article

Common mental disorders through the eyes of German employees: attributed relevance of work-related causes and prevention measures assessed by a standardised survey

Authors: Stephanie Burgess, Florian Junne, Eva Rothermund, Stephan Zipfel, Harald Gündel, Monika A. Rieger, Martina Michaelis

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are becoming increasingly relevant in the working world. Numbers of risk factors have been confirmed by mostly correlative cross-sectional studies. Comprehensive and effective prevention is urgently needed. There is little knowledge about employees’ own perceptions on causes of CMDs and prevention measures. Therefore, a survey was conducted in 2016.

Methods

A standardised instrument was developed for an online survey in a commercial access panel, targeted employees in different job types. We assessed two outcomes: perceived relevance of (1) work-related demands to the development of CMDs, and (2) prevention approaches in the workplace and on individual and societal levels. Possible predictive aspects were analysed exploratively by multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

The response rate was 75% (n = 610). Job types were categorised as “blue”, “grey” and “white-collar” workers (n = 193, 169, 248). The majority of respondents rated both outcomes consistently as “quite” or “very relevant”; societal prevention strategies were more relevant for non-white-collar workers. Perceived relevance of individual predisposition to develop a CMD was the strongest predictor for both outcomes, indicating the perception that people with higher personal vulnerability might suffer a higher strain from work-related risk factors than others.

Conclusion

We assume that participants in our survey judged the relevance of work-related causes of CMDs independently of their own workload. The perceived relevance of prevention measures in different areas is consistent with official guidelines. A possible selection bias due to characteristics of access panel collectives and own direct or indirect experiences with CMD should be critically questioned.

Available only for authorised users

Aguilar-Raab C, Grevenstein D, Schweitzer J (2015) Measuring social relationships in different social systems: the construction and validation of the evaluation of social systems (EVOS) scale. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133442 CrossRef

Anema JR, Schellart AJ, Cassidy JD, Loisel P, Veerman TJ, Van der Beek AJ (2009) Can cross country differences in return-to-work after chronic occupational back pain be explained? An exploratory analysis on disability policies in a six country cohort study. J Occup Rehabilit 19(4):419–426CrossRef

Apolinário-Hagen J, Vehreschild V, Alkoudmani RM (2017a) Current views and perspectives on E-mental health: an exploratory survey study for understanding public attitudes toward internet-based psychotherapy in Germany. JMIR Mental Health 4(1):e8CrossRef

Apolinário-Hagen J, Kemper J, Stürmer C (2017b) Public acceptability of E-mental health treatment services for psychological problems: a scoping review. JMIR Mental Health 4(2):e10CrossRef

Azanza G, Moriano JA, Molero F (2013) Authentic leadership and organizational culture as drivers of employees’ job satisfaction. Revista de Psicología del Trabajo y de las Organizaciones 29:45–50CrossRef

BAuA (2014) Gefährdungsbeurteilung psychischer Belastung—Erfahrungen und Empfehlungen [Risk assessment of mental stress - experiences and recommendations], 1 edn. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA), Erich Schmidt Verlag, Berlin

Belsky J, Pluess M (2009) Beyond diathesis stress: differential susceptibility to environmental influences. Psychological bulletin 135(6):885–908CrossRef

Berens EM, Vogt D, Messer M, Hurrelmann K, Schaeffer D (2016) Health literacy among different age groups in Germany: results of a cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health 16(1):1151CrossRef

BMAS—Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände und Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (2013) Gemeinsame Erklärung psychische Gesundheit in der Arbeitswelt [Joint declaration on mental health in the workplace]. Publication A449. http://www.bmas.de/DE/Service/Medien/Publikationen/a-449-gemeinsame-erklaerung-psychische-gesundheit-arbeitswelt.html. Accessed 10 Sept 2018

BPtK—Bundespsychotherapeutenkammer (2010) Komplexe Abhängigkeiten machen psychisch krank—BPtK-Studie zu psychischen Belastungen in der modernen Arbeitswelt [Complex dependencies cause mental illness—BPtK study on psychological stress in the modern working world]. http://www.bptk.de/uploadmedia/20100518 _psychische_erkrankungen_in_der_arbeitswelt.pdf. Accessed 19 Dec 2017

Brauer C, Mikkelsen S (2010) The influence of individual and contextual psychosocial work factors on the perception of the indoor environment at work: a multilevel analysis. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83(6):639–651CrossRef

Brauer C, Kolstad H, Ørbaek P, Mikkelsen S (2006) No consistent risk factor pattern for symptoms related to the sick building syndrome: a prospective population-based study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79(6):453–464CrossRef

Burgess S, Rieger MA, Junne F, Rothermund E, Gündel H, Zipfel S, Michaelis M (2017) Psychische und psychosomatische Erkrankungen im Erwerbsalter [Prevention of common mental disorders in working age] Studienprotokoll. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 52:605–612

Burgess S, Junne F, Rothermund E, Gündel H, Zipfel S, Rieger MA, Michaelis M (2018) Surveys using an online access panel—findings from an employee survey on prevention of common mental disorders. Shor [Umfragen mit Hilfe eines Online Access Panels—Erkenntnisse aus einer Beschäftigtenbefragung zur Prävention psychischer Erkrankungen]. Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 53:44–47

Busch K (2012) Die Arbeitsunfähigkeit in der Statistik der GKV. In: Badura B, Ducki A, Schröder H, Klose J, Meyer M (eds) Fehlzeiten-Report 2012. Fehlzeiten-Report, vol 2012. Springer, Berlin

Busch K (2016) Die Arbeitsunfähigkeit in der Statistik der GKV. In: Badura B, Ducki A, Schröder H, Klose J, Meyer M (eds) Fehlzeiten-Report 2014. Fehlzeiten-Report, vol 2016. Springer, Berlin

Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Erlbaum, Hillsdale

Cohen J (1992) A power primer. Psychol Bull 112:155–159CrossRef

Collie A, Lane TJ, Hassani-Mahmooei B, Thompson J, McLeod C (2016) Does time off work after injury vary by jurisdiction? A comparative study of eight Australian workers’ compensation systems. BMJ open, 6(5):e010910CrossRef

Crawford JO, Graveling RA, Cowie HA, Dixon K (2010) The health safety and health promotion needs of older workers. Occup Med 60(3):184.192. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqq028 CrossRef

Eurofound—Sixth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) (2017) Overview report (2017 update). Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg

Fernandes C, Pereira A (2016) Exposure to psychosocial risk factors in the context of work: a systematic review. RevSaúde Pública 50:24

Field A (2009) Discovering statistics using SPSS. Sage Publications, London

Finney C, Stergiopoulos E, Hensel J, Bonato S, Dewa CS (2013) Organizational stressors associated with job stress and burnout in correctional officers: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 13:1CrossRef

García-Serrano C (2011) Does size matter? The influence of firm size on working conditions, job satisfaction and quit intentions. Scott J Polit Econ 58:221–247CrossRef

Gatt JM, Burton KL, Williams LM, Schofield PR (2015) Specific and common genes implicated across major mental disorders: a review of meta-analysis studies. J Psychiatr Res 60:1–13CrossRef

Gregersen S, Kuhnert S, Zimber A, Nienhaus A (2011) Führungsverhalten und Gesundheit—Zum Stand der Forschung [leadership and health—the state of research]. Gesundheitswesen 73:3–12CrossRef

Gulliver A, Griffiths KM, Christensen H, Brewer JL (2012) A systematic review of help-seeking interventions for depression, anxiety and general psychological distress. BMC Psychiatry 12:81. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-81 CrossRef

Harvey SB, Monini M, Joyce S, Milligan-Saville JS, Tan L, Mykletun A et al (2017) Can work make you mentally ill? A systematic meta-review of work-related risk factors for common mental health problems. Occup Environ Med 74:301–310CrossRef

Hegerl U, Sander C (2017) Deutschland-Barometer Depression 2017. Volkskrankheit Depression. So denkt Deutschland. Repräsentative Befragung über Ansichten und Einstellungen der Bevölkerung zur Depression [Germany barometer depression 2017, common illness depression. That’s how Germany thinks. Representative survey on views and attitudes of the population towards depression]. https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/sites/default/files/studienergebnisse_depression_so-denkt-deutschland.pdf. Accessed 22 Dec 2017

Hofmann F (2012) Psychische Belastung und Beanspruchung—eine betriebliche Herausforderung? Psychische Belastung und Beanspruchung am Arbeitsplatz [Psychological stress and strain—an operational challenge? Psychological stress and strain at the workplace]. Deutsches Institut für Normung, Berlin

Hosmer DW, Lemeshow S (2000) Applied logistic regression. 2nd edn. Wiley, HobokenCrossRef

Jacobi F, Höfler M, Strehle J et al.(2014) Psychische Störungen in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland und ihr Zusatzmodul Psychische Gesundheit (DEGS1-MH). Nervenarzt (85):77–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-013-3961-y

Januar V, Saffery R, Ryan J (2015) Epigenetics and depressive disorders: a review of current progress and future directions. Int J Epidemiol 44:1364–1387CrossRef

Junne F, Michaelis M, Rothermund E, Stuber F, Gündel H, Zipfel S, Rieger MA (2018) 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. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(3):559. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030559 CrossRef

Kauer SD, Mangan C, Sanci L (2014) Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review. J Med Internet Res 16(3):e66CrossRef

Lai Y, Saridakis G, Blackburn R (2015) Job Stress in the United Kingdom: are small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises different? Stress Health 31:222–235CrossRef

Lesuffleur T, Chastang J-F, Sandret N, Niedhammer I (2014) Psychosocial factors at work and sickness absence: results from the French National SUMER Survey. Am J Ind Med 57(6):695–708CrossRef

Lohmann-Haislah A (2012) Stressreport Deutschland 2012. Psychische Anforderungen, Ressourcen und Befinden [Stress report Germany 2012. mental requirements, resources, and health]. BAuA, Berlin

Lueboonthavatchai P (2009) Role of stress areas, stress severity, and stressful life events on the onset of depressive disorder: a case–control study. J Med Assoc Thai 92(9):1240–1249

Lüerßen H, Stickling E, Gundermann N, Toska M, Coppik R, Denker P et al (2015) BGM im Mittelstand 2015. Ziele, Instrumente und Erfolgsfaktoren für das Betriebliche Gesundheitsmanagement [OHM in middle class 2015.Goals, Instruments and Success Factors for Occupational Health Management]. Wolter Kluwer, Köln

Magnavita N (2015) Work-related symptoms in indoor environments: a puzzling problem for the occupational physician. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 88(2):185–196CrossRef

Memish K, Martin A, Bartlett L, Dawkins S, Sanderson K (2017) Workplace mental health: An international review of guidelines. Prev Med 101:213–222CrossRef

Meyer C, Rumpf HC, Hapke U, Dilling H, John U (2000) Lebenszeitprävalenz psychischer Störungen in der erwachsenen Allgemeinbevölkerung. Ergebnisse der TACOS-Studie [Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in the general adult population. Results of the TACOS study]. Der Nervenarzt 71(7):535–542CrossRef

Michaelis M, Lange R, Junne F, Rothermund E, Zipfel S, Gündel H, Rieger MA (2016) Prevention of common mental disorders in employees—conception, study design and sample characteristics of a multi-target survey. Mental Health Prev 4:88–95CrossRef

Möller-Leimkühler AM (2002) Barriers to help-seeking by men: a review of sociocultural and clinical literature with particular reference to depression. J Affect Disord 71(1–3):1–9CrossRef

Nielsen MB, Magerøy N, Gjerstad J, Einarsen S (2014) Workplace bullying and subsequent health problems. Tidsskriftet 134:1233–1238CrossRef

Nieuwenhuijsen K, Bruinvels D, Frings-Dresen M (2010) Psychosocial work environment and stress-related disorders, a systematic review. Occup Med 60:277–286CrossRef

Nübling M, Stößel U, Hasselhorn HM, Michaelis M, Hofmann F (2006) Measuring psychological stress and strain at work—evaluation of the COPSOQ Questionnaire in Germany. GMS Psycho Soc Med 3:Doc05

Nübling M, Vomstein M, Schmidt SG, Gregersen S, Dulon M, Nienhaus A (2010) Psychosocial work load and stress in the geriatric care. BMC Public Health 10:428(10)CrossRef

Nübling M, Lincke HJ, Schröder H, Knerr P, Gerlach I, Laß I (2015) Gewünschte und erlebte Arbeitsqualität. Abschlussbericht der repräsentativen Befragung im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS). Freiburg, Bonn, Münster (BMAS-Forschungsbericht 456)

Nübling M, Stößel U, Hasselhorn HM, Michaelis M, Hofmann F (2016) Measuring psychological stress and strain at work: evaluation of the COPSOQ Questionnaire in Germany [Methoden zur Erfassung psychischer Belastungen: Erprobung des COPSOQ in Deutschland]. GMS Psycho Soc Med 3:1–14

Pejtersen JH, Kristensen TS, Borg V, Bjorner JB (2010) The second version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. Scand J Public Health 38(3 Suppl):8–24CrossRef

Reavley NJ, Ross A, Martin A, LaMontagne AD, Jorm AF (2014) Development of guidelines for workplace prevention of mental health problems: a Delphi consensus study with Australian professionals and employees. Mental Health Prevention 2:26–34CrossRef

Ree E, Odeen M, Eriksen HR, Indahl A, Ihlebæk C, Hetland J, Harris A (2014) Subjective health complaints and self-rated health: are expectancies more important than socioeconomic status and workload? Int J Behav Med 21(3):411–420CrossRef

Repetti RL, Taylor SE, Seeman TE (2002) Risky families: family social environments and the mental and physical health of offspring. Psychol Bull 128:330–366CrossRef

Richter G (2010) Toolbox Version 1.2—Instrumente zur Erfassung psychischer Belastungen [Instruments for detecting mental workloads]. 1. Aufl. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Dortmund. ISBN: 978-3-88261-103-8, Seiten 326, Projektnummer: F 1965, Papier, PDF-Datei

Richter D, Berger K (2013) Nehmen psychische Störungen zu? Update einer systematischen Übersicht über wiederholte Querschnittsstudien [Increasing mental disorders? Update of a systematic overview of repeated cross-sectional studies]. Psychiat Prax 40:176–182CrossRef

RKI—Robert Koch-Institut (ed) (2012) Daten und Fakten: Ergebnisse der Studie »Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell 2010« [Facts and figures: Results of the study “Health in Germany up to date 2010”]. Beiträge zur Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes. RKI, Berlin

Rothe I, Adolph L, Beermann B, Schütte M, Windel A, Grewer A et al (2017) Psychische Gesundheit in der Arbeitswelt—Wissenschaftliche Standortbestimmung [Mental health in the workplace—scientific standpoint]. Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Dortmund

Rothermund E, Gündel H, Killian R, Hölzer M, Reiter B, Mauss D et al (2014) Behandlung psychosomatischer Beschwerden im Arbeitskontext—Konzept und erste Daten [Treatment of psychosomatic disorders occurring in the vocational context—concept and first findings]. Z Psychosom Med Psychother 60:177–189

Rothermund E, Michaelis M, Jarczok MN, Balint EM, Lange R, Zipfel S, Gündel H, Rieger MA, Junne F (2018) Prevention of common mental disorders in employees. Perspectives on collaboration from three health care professions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(2):278–291CrossRef

Schaufeli WB, Taris TW (2014) A critical review of the job Demands-resources model: Implications for improving work and health. In: Bauer GF, Hämmig O (eds) Bridging occupational, organizational and public health. Springer, Amsterdam, pp 43–68CrossRef

Silaski N (2012) X-collar workers in the new economy - the role of metonymy in coining new terms in English. In: Guduric S (ed) Languages and cultures across time and space. Filozofski fakultet, Novi Sa, pp 399–406

Sonnenmoser M (2004) Genetik und Psyche. Bedeutung der Gene nicht überschätzen [Genetics and Psyche. Do not overestimate the importance of genes]. Deutsches Ärzteblatt/PP: 71–72

Statistisches Bundesamt (2018) Statistisches Jahrbuch: Deutschland und Internationales 2018 [Statistical Yearbook: Germany and international affairs 2018]. Statistisches Bundesamt, Berlin

Stevenson A (2010) Oxford Dictionary of English. OUP Oxford, New York

Tan L, Wang MJ, Modini M, Joyce S, Mykletun A, Christensen H (2014) Preventing the development of depression at work: a systematic review and meta-analysis of universal interventions in the workplace. BMC Med 12:74CrossRef

Tansel A, Gazîoğlu S (2014) Management-employee relations, firm size and job satisfaction. Int J Manpow 35:1260–1275CrossRef

Theorell T, Hammarström A, Aronsson G, Bendz LT, Grape T, Hogstedt C (2015) A systematic review including meta-analysis of work environment and depressive symptoms. BMC Public Health 115:738CrossRef

Thompson AE, Anisimowicz Y, Miedema B, Hogg W, Wodchis WP, Aubrey-Bassler K (2016) The influence of gender and other patient characteristics on health care-seeking behaviour: a QUALICOPC study. BMC Fam Pract 17:38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-016-0440-0 CrossRef

Tomczyk S, Muehlan H, Freitag S, Stolzenburg S, Schomerus G, Schmidt S (2018) Is knowledge “half the battle”? The role of depression literacy in help-seeking among a non-clinical sample of adults with currently untreated mental health problems. J Affect Disord 238:289–296CrossRef

Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Jahkola A, Katajarinne L, Tulkki A (2001) Arbeitsbewältigungsindex—Work Ability Index. Schriftenreihe der Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin; Ü14,Wirtschaftsverlag, Bremerhaven

Unger C, Richter T (2015) Epidemiologische Befunde zur Arbeits- und Erwerbsunfähigkeit aufgrund psychischer Erkrankungen [Epidemiological findings on the incapacity for work and disability due to mental illnesses]. In Hildenbrand S, Rieger MA, (eds). Dokumentation der 55. Jahrestagung der DGAUM, 18.-20.3.2015, Eigenverlag Deutsche Gesellschaft für Arbeitsmedizin und Umweltmedizin, München pp 202–205. https://www.dgaum.de/fileadmin/pdf/Jahrestagung/Jahrestagung_Archiv/DGAUM_2015_Kongressdokumentation.pdf

van Beurden KM, van der Klink JJL, Brouwers EPM, Joosen MCW, Mathijssen JJP, Terluin B (2015) Effect of an intervention to enhance guideline adherence of occupational physicians on return-to-work self-efficacy in workers sick-listed with common mental disorders. BMC Public Health 15:796CrossRef

Vollmar HC, Kramer U, Müller H, Griemmert M, Noelle G, Schrappe M (2017) Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen–Rahmenbedingungen zur Nutzung in Versorgung, Strukturentwicklung und Wissenschaft–Positionspapier der AG Digital Health des DNVF [Applications-position paper of the AG Digital Health DNVF on digital health applications: framework conditions for use in health care, structural development and science]. Das Gesundheitswesen 79(12):1080–1092CrossRef

Warszewska-Makuch M, Bedyńska S, Żołnierczyk-Zreda D (2015) Authentic leadership, social support and their role in workplace bullying and its mental health consequences. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 21:128–140CrossRef

Weinberg A, Creed F (2000) Stress and psychiatric disorder in healthcare professionals and hospital staff. Lancet 355(9203):533–537CrossRef

Zok K (2016) Aussagen zur Gesundheit und zur Betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung aus der Sicht von Beschäftigten. Ergebnisse aus Mitarbeiterbefragungen [Statements on health and workplace health promotion from the perspective of employees. Results of employee surveys]. WIdO-monitor 13:1–12

Title: Common mental disorders through the eyes of German employees: attributed relevance of work-related causes and prevention measures assessed by a standardised survey
Authors: Stephanie Burgess
Florian Junne
Eva Rothermund
Stephan Zipfel
Harald Gündel
Monika A. Rieger
Martina Michaelis
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01414-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Common mental disorders through the eyes of German employees: attributed relevance of work-related causes and prevention measures assessed by a standardised survey

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 6/2019

Cold water immersion test (10 °C, 10 min) for diagnosing vibration-induced white finger among a group of polishers in a subtropical environment

Short rest between shifts (quick returns) and night work is associated with work-related accidents

Workplace violence and development of burnout symptoms: a prospective cohort study on 1823 social educators

Shift work and mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The association of vertical and horizontal workplace social capital with employees’ job satisfaction, exhaustion and sleep disturbances: a prospective study

Physical fitness as a risk factor for injuries and excessive stress symptoms during basic military training