Work & life stress experienced by professional workers during the pandemic: a gender-based analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted work and home life exacerbating pre-existing stressors and introducing new ones. These impacts were notably gendered. In this paper, we explore the different work and home life related stressors of professional workers specifically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic through the gender-based analysis of two pan Canadian surveys: The Canadian Community Health Survey (2019, 2020, 2021) and the Healthy Professional Worker Survey (2021). Analyses revealed high rates of work stress among professional workers compared to other workers and this was particularly notable for women. Work overload emerged as the most frequently selected source of work stress, followed by digital stress, poor work relations, and uncertainty. Similar trends were noted in life stress among professional workers, particularly women. Time pressure consistently stood out as the primary source of non-work stress, caring for children and physical and mental health conditions. These findings can help to develop more targeted and appropriate workplace mental health promotion initiatives that are applicable to professional workers taking gender more fully into consideration.

Santé des personnes non binaires : de quoi parle-t-on ?

Through quantitative research on the health of LGBT people (2018) and alongside a review of the literature on the health of non-binary people, this article aims to revisit the specific health characteristics of this population.

Responding and navigating racialized microaggressions in STEM

While it is commonly thought that microaggressions are isolated incidents, microaggressions are ingrained throughout the academic research institution (Young, Anderson and Stewart 2015; Lee et al. 2020). Persons Excluded from science because of Ethnicity and Race (PEERs) frequently experience microaggressions from various academicians, including graduate students, postdocs and faculty (Asai 2020; Lee et al. 2020). Here, we elaborate on a rationale for concrete actions to cope with and diminish acts of microaggressions that may otherwise hinder the inclusion of PEERs. We encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) departments and leadership to affirm PEER scholar identities and promote allyship by infusing sensitivity, responsiveness and anti-bias awareness.

Sexual-orientation based discrimination is associated with anxiety and depression in young physicians. A national study

INTRODUCTION

The professional risk factors for depression and anxiety are underexplored in young physicians. While there has been increasing research on the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, few studies have examined the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual young physicians.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Sexual Orientation-Based Discrimination (SOBD) in French young physicians and if SOBD was associated with increased anxiety and depression in this population.

METHOD

This national study is a cross-sectional observational epidemiological national study. The participants were recruited between April 1^st 2019 and June 31^st 2019. One question with binary answer was asked on SOBD. Mental health was assessed by Hamilton Anxiety & Depression scales.

RESULTS

On the 2003 participants, 148 (7%) reported SOBD exposure, 647 (32%) current anxiety disorders and 174 (9%) a current major depressive disorder according to their HAD score. SOBD was almost twice more frequently reported in participants with anxiety disorder and major depression (respectively 10%,vs 6% and 12% vs. 7%, p<0.05). In the first model of multivariate analyses, current anxiety disorder was significantly associated with being woman (adjusted odds ratio aOR=1.688, 95%CI 1.350-2.110, p<0.001) and SOBD (aOR=1.729, 95%CI 1.226-2.440, p=0.002). In the second model of multivariate analyses, current major depression was significantly associated with only SOBD (aOR=1.748, 95%CI 1.057-2.888, p=0.029).

CONCLUSION

SOBD has been associated with increased rates of anxiety disorder and major depression in young physicians and should be targeted in mental health prevention programs.

Association of Workplace Bullying and Workplace Vulnerability in the Psychological Distress of Chilean Workers

Workplace bullying has been identified as a global problem because of its growing magnitude and the harmful effects in victims and organizations. Workplace vulnerability is a component of job precarious1ness that reflects insecurity, fear, and labor uncertainty. This paper aims to analyze the associations between the exposure to workplace vulnerability and psychological distress, and to explore the associations between exposure to workplace bullying and psychological distress, by sex. A cross-sectional and probabilistic survey was applied to a randomly-selected valid sample of 1995 salaried workers in three main metropolitan areas of Chile. Chi-square test and logistic regression models controlling for confounders were tested. Female workers were more exposed to workplace vulnerability and presented a higher prevalence of psychological distress. Among women who were vulnerable, one of three reported psychological distress (30.8%), which is higher than men (16.5%). Workers exposed to workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of workplace bullying, workers who perceived high workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of psychological distress, and workers exposed to workplace violence had a greater likelihood of psychological distress in comparison to those who were not exposed. Increasing employment security can reduce the perception of job vulnerability and help prevent the existence of workplace bullying. Additionally, occupational health protection policies should prevent, protect from, and intervene in workplace bullying as a precursor to mental health problems in Chile.