Indicadores de salud mental asociados a riesgo psicosocial laboral en un hospital público / Psychosocial stress among health care workers

ABSTRACT

Background: Health care workers are exposed to high stress levels and psychosocial risks. The imbalance between the invested efforts and received rewards acquires special importance in this setting. Aim: To assess the psychosocial risk level and its relationship with depression, distress and psychotropic drug use among health care workers. Material and Methods: Seven hundred eighty two workers (602 females; 180 males) answered self-administered questionnaires to measure psychosocial risk and mental health. Results: Twenty five percent of respondents used psychotropic drugs, 34% had a high level of distress and 23% had depressive symptoms. They also reported a low level of decisional latitude (48%), high emotional demands (47%), low social support (41%) and a significant effort-reward imbalance (67%). Those exposed to job strain (high demands and low decisional latitude), iso-strain (job strain plus low social support), and effort-reward imbalance were twice as likely to suffer symptoms of depression and elevated distress compared to non-exposed subjects. Conclusions: There are high levels of psychosocial stress among health care workers.