
Secretaries, depression and absenteeism
This study examines the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder; missed work; and mental health services use among secretaries and other women employed full-time. In a random sample of 3,484 women employed full-time, women employed as secretaries were significantly more likely to be depressed than other women even after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval = 1.05, 2.73). Secretaries were significantly more likely to report missing work in the last three months (odds ratio = 1.77, confidence interval = 1.01, 3.11); a finding not attributable to depression. Secretaries were also more likely to seek mental health services, but this finding was not significant (odds ratio = 1.78, confidence interval = 0.55, 5.78). It is possible that these findings are attributable to a selection effect whereby depressed women, and women who are likely to miss work, become secretaries. A second possibility is that women employed as secretaries have more 'nonwork role stress' than other employed women, Alternatively, job conditions which result in dissatisfaction and stress may lead to depression and absenteeism. We believe our findings warrant further investigation into the work environment of secretaries.
Duke Scholars
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- Public Health
- 1699 Other Studies in Human Society
- 1117 Public Health and Health Services
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
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Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Public Health
- 1699 Other Studies in Human Society
- 1117 Public Health and Health Services
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine