When it comes to workplace stress, it seems middle managers might have it the hardest – at least according to a recent survey which found the sandwiched workers are far more likely to suffer symptoms of depression.
Workforce cross section
The study examined data on nearly 22,000 fulltime workers, assigning each person to one of four categories – capitalists, managers, supervisors, and average workers.
Capitalists – those at the top of the corporate pyramid – were business owners who earn more than US$71,500 (S$100,000) per year, putting them in the 90
th percentile nationwide for salary.
Next, middle managers were split over two groups depending on their education. “Managers” included those in an executive, administrative or managerial occupation who had at least a bachelor’s degree while “supervisors” occupied similar roles but had never earned a university degree.
The last group was made up of a whole host of “average workers” – from salespeople and tech workers to farmers and police.
From there, researchers analysed the prevalence of depression and anxiety across all four groups – the study is among the first of its kind to explore depression and anxiety in relation to social class and position of power in the labour market.
Investigative outcome
After controlling for factors like age, gender and location, researchers found the two middle management groups displayed a much higher tendency towards depression and anxiety.
Just 11% of those within the capitalist group were estimated to have suffered from depression at same point in their life as were 12% of regular workers.
In contrast, 19% of supervisors were thought to have suffered depression and 16% of managers had.
In regards to anxiety, 11% of suffered from anxiety compared to 7% of managers, 5% of workers and a mere 2% of owners.
“Workers with jobs low in decision latitude and high in demands show higher depressive symptoms, and those with jobs low in direction, control and planning ... have higher psychological distress and major depression,” the study authors wrote.
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