Stressful Jobs Linked To Depression

High-pressure jobs double the risk of depression and anxiety in young people according to a newly published research paper.
 
The study of 1,000 32-year-olds found that 45% of new cases of depression and anxiety were attributable to stressful work where a lack of job control, long hours, non-negotiable deadlines, with a high volume of work were common.

Those worker involved in the study were asked whether they had a great workload with time pressures, coerced into worked longer hours and their jobs were hectic with confusing targets and aims. The study lasted for twelve months at the end of which the figures showed that 10% of men and 14% of women suffered a first episode of depression or anxiety during the study period.

But the risk was double in those with the highest pressure jobs.

Quoted on the BBC new website, study leader Dr Maria Melchior, epidemiologist at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, said: "Our study shows that work stress appears to bring on diagnosable forms of depression and anxiety in previously healthy young workers."

Co-author, Professor Terrie Moffitt, also at Kings College London added that jobs where failure was highly visible, such as working as a head chef in a busy restaurant, were among the most demanding.
"At the other end of the spectrum people who work in home child care looking after two or three children would have a more predictable daily life."

Experts said the paper in Psychological Medicine showed employers needed to do more to protect workers' mental health.

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