Burnout
caused by more than just job stress
Impossible deadlines, demanding bosses, abusive colleagues,
unpaid overtime: all factors that can lead to a burnout. But when it comes to
mental health in the workplace, the influence of home life must also be
considered to get the full picture.
That's about to change thanks to new research from Concordia
University and the University of Montreal, which proves that having an
understanding partner is just as important as having a supportive boss.
The research team polled participants to measure factors like
parental status, household income, social network, gender, age, physical health
and levels of self-esteem. They studied these elements alongside stressors
typically seen in the workplace, such as emotional exhaustion, poor use of
skills, high psychological demands, job insecurity and lack of authority.
Turns out mental health in the workplace doesn't exist in a
vacuum: it's deeply affected by the rest of a person's day-to-day life. And
vice versa.
The study shows that fewer mental health problems are
experienced by those living with a partner, in households with young children,
higher household incomes, less work-family conflicts, and greater access to the
support of a social network outside the workplace.
Of course, factors within the workplace are still important.
Fewer mental health problems were reported when employees are supported at
work, when expectations of job recognition are met, and when people feel secure
in their jobs. A higher level of skill use is also associated with lower levels
of depression, pointing to the importance of designing tasks that motivate and
challenge workers.
"This is a call to action," says senior author Steve
Harvey, professor of management and dean of Concordia's John Molson School of
Business. "Researchers need to expand their perspective, so that they get
a full picture of the complexity of factors that determine individuals' mental
health."
For lead author Alain Marchand, professor at the University of
Montreal's School of Industrial Relations, it's all about adopting a holistic
view. "To maintain a truly healthy workforce, we need to look outside the
office or home in simple terms to combat mental health issues in the
workplace."
Story
Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by Université de
Montréal. Note:
Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal
Reference:
Alain Marchand, Pierre Durand, Victor Haines, Steve Harvey. The multilevel determinants of
workers’ mental health: results from the SALVEO study.Social
Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2014; DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0932-y
Cite
This Page:
Université de Montréal. "Burnout caused by more than just
job stress." Science
Daily, 16 September 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140916092703.htm>.