Men with low job control at risk of suicidal behaviours, study shows

A new study showed men working in jobs with low demands and low control of their work situation were at a greater risk for suicide attempts and suicide compared to those in occupations with high demands and high control.

The study, conducted by the University of Gothenburg, also found that men generally find it harder to seek mental health assistance than women, and suicide at working age is more common among men.

Results of the study

According to the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) Foundation, the study involved over 1mil men born between 1950 and 1984 who were enlisted for military service in Sweden from 1968-2002.

During a follow-up period from 2002-2014, the study reported 2,335 suicides among the group of men ages 30-64. In the same period, there were 7334 suicide attempts, according to the survey.

“Suicidal behaviour was reportedly more common among men in ‘passive occupations’ with low demands and low control, based on available occupational classifications,” the foundation said. “This group reported 7.8 suicide attempts and suicides per 10,000 people annually.”

Meanwhile, the study revealed that for men working in ‘active jobs’ or those with high demand and high control, the equivalent number was 3.0.

After adjusting several adolescent psychological factors, including parents’ education, IQ, and stress resilience, the study reported that working-age men in passive occupations were 33% more at risk for suicidal behaviours compared to men in work featuring low demands but high control.

“People in work situations with high demands but low control were also at elevated risk for suicide, albeit not at such a high risk as those in passive occupations,” NSCA said.

“The study found that depression was a common cause of suicidal behaviour (fatal and non-fatal),” it added.

Enhancing work conditions

Following the alarming results, the study’s author Associate Professor Maria Aberg noted that suicidal behaviour is a complex phenomenon and does not always but often include mental health illness with several other contributing factors, the NSCA Foundation said.

“It’s a terrible family tragedy when someone in mid-life takes their life,” Aberg said. “It’s also a trauma for co-workers and the whole workplace, and one that has repercussions for many years.”

Aberg further emphasized that granting workers a sense of leadership and participation in the workplaces is crucial as this would boost their feeling of job control.

The author also said that the study adds to the increasing pieces of evidence demonstrating that working conditions are an amendable risk factor for suicidal behaviour and mental illnesses.

“Improving working conditions should be a priority strategy for reducing suicidal behaviour and preventing mental illness in the working population,” Aberg said.