Work-Related Psychological Distress and Its Management: The Perspective of Employees in the Financial Industry Compared With Those in Human Services.

Abstract

Investigate psychological distress and its link to stress management interventions in the financial industry (FI) in comparison to the human services (HS) sector. Observational study across participating organizations in FI (66) and HS (81). Web-based version of depression anxiety stress scales (21 questions) and eight questions related to stress prevention interventions adopted by employers. Indicated that FI workers are twice as likely as HS employees to present with stress and depression. Differences emerged on the availability of support at the workplace: FI workers reporting total lack of psychological support, although other forms of wellbeing promotion were more frequent. Close to 60% of individuals in the HS group reported no support (48% in the FI). Workers in the FI industry have increased levels of workplace stress that could be possibly attributed to absence of prevention interventions at the workplace.