Depression Occupation: Men and Women Different Triggers

Some research has found a link between employment and the risk of depression. But experts in Canada revealed that depression due to work on women and men are affected by different things.

Researchers say, women tend to be more prone to depression if they are not rewarded for their work or do not get the award for what they are doing. While in men, the relationship was not found.

In men, the risk of depression is more likely due to the intensity of working hours, especially in men who work full-time (fulltime). While family and work conflict has impacted on the risk of depression in both men and women, but in different ways.

Men tend to have increased risk of depression if their family life affect worklife. While women at risk of depression if their work life disrupt family life.

"While more women workers and more men are the backbone of the family, both men and women may see the role of family or work differently," said researcher Jianli Wang, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary in Alberta , Canada.

In his study, Wang and colleagues studied about 2,700 men and women living in Alberta between the years 2008-2011 and was not depressed. Participants were followed to see whether they develop depression. Participants were also asked to answer questions about their work, such as pressure of work and whether they feel fairly rewarded for their efforts or not.

After one year, 3.6 percent of participants were diagnosed with depression. Incidence of depression was higher among women (4.5 percent), whereas in men (2.9 percent)

Women who work fulltime, ie, between 35 to 40 hours a week, have an increased risk of developing depression. While the men who work fulltime and get a high-pressure jobs prone to depression about 11 percent compared with 1.5 percent of men who work fulltime and do not have a high workload.

Worried about losing their jobs also increased the risk of depression in men and women.

Wang said the depression has a significant impact on the health of employees and affect work performance. "Employers should monitor the magnitude of these risk factors, such as job strain, to prevent negative effects on workers, said Wang.

According to Wang, needs further research with larger scale to confirm its findings. Larger studies could also help in the development of strategies for employers to prevent depression in employees, the researchers said. The study was published on May 3, 2012 in the American Journal of Epidemiology.