Occupational stress and mental health in healthcare work: inequalities of gender and race

Abstract

Background

The psychosocial aspects of work are sources of occupational stress, with impacts on mental health. This relationship can be determined by gender and race/skin color.

Objective

To evaluate the association between occupational stressors and mental health, focusing on gender and race/skin color inequalities among healthcare workers.

Method

Cross-sectional study with 3,084 healthcare workers from Bahia. Occupational stressors were assessed using the demand-control (CDM) model, using the Job Content Questionnaire. The outcome variable, common mental disorders (CDM), was assessed by the SRQ-20. A descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analysis was carried out, stratified by gender and race/skin color.

Results

The prevalence of CMD was higher among women (black: 23.7%, and non-black: 19.6%) than among men (blacks: 17.6%, and non-blacks: 14.7%). There was an association of CMD with all groups of the MDC, for black women, and with active and highly demanding work among non-black women. Among men, the association was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Differences in gender and race/skin color were observed in the occurrence of CMD and in the association with occupational stressors, with higher prevalence among women, especially black women.

Keywords:
psychosocial aspects at work; common mental disorder; gender; race; health workers