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Big study makes work mentally ill?
In recent years, numerous studies have pointed out that it is due to increasing demands and stress in the job to more and more mental illnesses. A new study contradicts this trend. However, this was created on behalf of the economy.
More absences due to mental illness
It is known that there are significantly more absences due to mental illness in Germany. For example, from the beginning of the year presented "Depression Atlas" of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) shows that the days of absence due to depression have increased. According to numerous studies, the reason for the increase in such illnesses is the congestion, constant accessibility and generally increasing demands in the job. Health experts have been warning for years that stress at work makes them mentally ill. A new study comes to different conclusions.
The stress on work can make you mentally ill. (Image: Amir Kaljikovic / fotolia.com) Study on behalf of the economy
As reported by the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" online, the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich determined that employment is not a particular risk factor for a mental illness. It is added, however, that the study was created on behalf of the Association of Bavarian Business (vbw). The psychiatrist Florian Holsboer evaluated with his colleagues a long-term study with over 800 participants to the early stages of psychopathological disease. According to the scientists, it was found that mental illnesses and symptoms "in principle do not" differ between people with and without a job. "A job does not seem to be a general protection or risk factor for mental illness," says Holsboer.
Sick leave reached a new record level
Accordingly, mental illness is no more common today than it was 20 years ago. However, the researchers found that alcohol and drug abuse in the subjects have decreased. They assume that this is because the study participants today are older and set. As evidenced by the recently presented DAK Psychoreport 2015, sick leave due to mental illness has reached a new record level. Almost two million working people - about one in 20 employees - were on sick leave last year with mental health problems. But although stress and congestion are often cited as a reason for the increase, there are also studies that conclude: Unemployment makes you ill. For example, a survey conducted by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) a few months ago found that Hartz IV recipients are on average sicker than those in employment. (Ad)