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Khalil MA, Khalifa D, Allam RM, Abdalgeleel SA, Khalaf OO. Suicide and depressive symptoms possible correlates among a sample of Egyptian physicians: observational cross-sectional study (online survey). BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:408. [PMID: 38816711 PMCID: PMC11137965 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to other occupations, physicians are more susceptible to depression and suicide. Suicide among physicians in some countries reached up to 1.5- to threefold higher than the general population. However, this rate was not homogenous in all countries. Most of the Egyptian studies were related to the stressful pandemic event, but the actual prevalence of depression among physicians is still under research. To the best of the researcher's knowledge, no other study has been conducted to evaluate the risk of suicide among Egyptian physicians. AIM The study aimed to screen for depressive symptoms and suicide among Egyptian physicians and to investigate the correlates associated with suicide ideations. METHODS This cross-sectional survey included Egyptian physicians recruited online by Google Forms. Depressive symptoms were screened using the Beck Depression Scale (BDI-II), while suicidal ideas were assessed using the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS). RESULTS Six hundred sixty Egyptian physicians completed the survey following a two-week pilot study between January 10 and July 16, 2023. The average age was 39.1 years, and 71.4% were married. 49.1% were medical specialists. The median daily working hours were eight, and 27.7% of the physicians attended night shifts. 22.3% had a psychiatric illness, and 34.3% had a chronic disease. Younger and single physicians of both sexes were more prone to suicide risk (p-value = 0.019 and 0.021, respectively). Those with psychiatric or chronic medical disorders had a higher suicidal risk (p-values < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Physicians with fewer academic degrees and those who work longer hours or night shifts had more depressive symptoms (p-values < 0.001 and 0.009, respectively). The risk of depression and suicide is almost the same in all medical specialties. The SIDAS suicide score and the Beck depression score revealed a statistically significant association (r = 0.288, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION Suicide risk is higher among younger, single physicians of both sexes, as well as those with psychiatric or chronic medical disorders. More depressive symptoms are seen in physicians who have more extended hours or night shifts and who have fewer academic degrees. Almost all medical specialties carry the same risk of depression and suicide. Longitudinal research is recommended for regular follow-up of suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Khalil
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia Khalifa
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rasha Mahmoud Allam
- Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa Abdalaleem Abdalgeleel
- Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ola Osama Khalaf
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Yildirim M, Dilekçi Ü, Manap A. Mediating roles of meaning in life and psychological flexibility in the relationships between occupational stress and job satisfaction, job performance, and psychological distress in teachers. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1349726. [PMID: 38765825 PMCID: PMC11099292 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1349726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Employees may experience stress in the workplace for various reasons. Psychological strengths may help them to cope with emerging challenges and foster mental health and work productivity. This study examined the mediating roles of meaning in life and psychological flexibility in the relationships between perceived occupational stress and job satisfaction, job performance and psychological distress. This cross-section study included 554 teachers (56.0% males; Mage = 36.99 ± 7.88 years) at all school levels in Türkiye. The research data was collected through a convenience sampling method using an online survey. Participants completed self-report measures of meaning in life, psychological flexibility, perceived occupational stress, job satisfaction, job performance, and psychological distress. Pearson product-moment correlation and parallel mediation model using PROCESS macro (Model 4) were utilized to analyze the data. The results showed that perceived occupational stress had a significant effect on meaning in life, psychological flexibility, job satisfaction, job performance, and psychological distress. Also, meaning in life and psychological flexibility had significant effects on job satisfaction, job performance, and psychological distress. Furthermore, meaning in life and psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationships between occupational stress and job satisfaction, job performance, and psychological distress. These findings highlight the significance of considering meaning in life and psychological flexibility as crucial factors in mitigating the impact of occupational stress on employee mental health and work productivity. By focusing on enhancing employees' sense of meaning and their ability to adapt flexibly to workplace challenges, organizations can potentially create a better environment that fosters positive outcomes for both employees and the organization. However, the impact of occupational stress on job performance, job satisfaction and psychological distress may change over time. To address this concern, future research should test the model through a longitudinal study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Yildirim
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Agri, Türkiye
- Department of Social and Educational Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ümit Dilekçi
- Department of Child Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Batman University, Batman, Türkiye
| | - Abdullah Manap
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Batman University, Batman, Türkiye
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du Prel JB, Koscec Bjelajac A, Franić Z, Henftling L, Brborović H, Schernhammer E, McElvenny DM, Merisalu E, Pranjic N, Guseva Canu I, Godderis L. The Relationship Between Work-Related Stress and Depression: A Scoping Review. Public Health Rev 2024; 45:1606968. [PMID: 38751606 PMCID: PMC11094281 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2024.1606968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Work-related stress is highly prevalent. Recent systematic reviews concluded on a significant association between common work-related stress measures and depression. Our scoping review aims to explore whether work-related psychosocial stress is generally associated with depression or depressiveness, the extent and methodology of the primary research undertaken on this topic and to elucidate inconsistencies or gaps in knowledge. Methods We searched for literature in Pubmed, PsycInfo and Web of Science including full reports in seven languages published between 1999 and 2022 and applied the PRISMA statement for scoping reviews criteria. Results Of 463 primarily identified articles, 125 were retained after abstract and full-text screening. The majority report significant associations between work-related stress and depression. Cross-sectional studies are most prevalent. Sufficient evidence exists only for job strain and effort-reward imbalance. Most studies are from Asia, North America and Europe. The health sector is the most studied. Several research gaps such as the lack of interventional studies were identified. Conclusion The consistency of most studies on the significant association between work-related stress and depression is remarkable. More studies are needed to improve evidence and to close research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptist du Prel
- Department of Occupational Health Science, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Zrinka Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Henftling
- Department of Occupational Health Science, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Hana Brborović
- University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Eva Schernhammer
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Damien M. McElvenny
- Research Group, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Eda Merisalu
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nurka Pranjic
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Irina Guseva Canu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Unisanté, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
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Fadakar H, Kim J, Saunders LC, Kamel MM, Kianpoor M, Moghadam AH, Hayati D, Ramadhan N, Maragha T, Meyer M, Jang K, Krausz RM. Suicidality among university students in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002460. [PMID: 37862288 PMCID: PMC10588889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among university students is a global concern. Cultural values, social determinants, religion, and especially growing stress all play an important role in this. This systematic review aimed to identify potential protective and risk factors thought to be associated with suicidal ideation among students in the Eastern Mediterranean region and highlight the importance of developing an effective health care response. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO Global Health Library, IMEMR, Web of Science Core Collections and Farsi and Arabic databases were searched for papers in English, Farsi, and Arabic. A combination of validated filters, free text keywords, and Mesh and Non-Mesh terms were used to retrieve relevant literature. A total of 2774 papers were found after the search, 257 selected for full-text review, and 72 papers included in the final review. Family and peer support play a potential protective role in the development of suicidal ideation among university students, while adverse life events, bullying, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were identified as risk factors. Suicidality was likely under-reported due to stigma around social and cultural factors. Factors involving religion and culture may act as both protective and risk factors and require more in-depth investigation. The student population in the Eastern Mediterranean region face many challenges. The common theme of suicidality emerged as an indicator of an imbalance of resources and stress, which needs to be addressed proactively, given a most likely underreporting of suicidal ideation and attempts due to stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasti Fadakar
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jane Kim
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lauren C. Saunders
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia
| | - Mostafa M. Kamel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mohsen Kianpoor
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arash Hoseyni Moghadam
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dianah Hayati
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Noor Ramadhan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tala Maragha
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maximilian Meyer
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of Basel Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kerry Jang
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Reinhard M. Krausz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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