Differences in mental health consultation between male and female workers in the health care center of a private enterprise.
This study attempted to clarify gender differences associated with mental health consultations at a health care center (X center) that services 40,638 (34,491 men and 6,147 women) workers and is operated by a Japanese company. Data from 940 subjects (790 men and 150 women) undergoing first-time consultation at the X center between April 1996 and March 2001 were collected from the database. After matching age (within 3 years) and occupation between the male and female groups by pairing, 58 men and 58 women were compared. There was no difference in work inefficiency and diagnosis between the two groups, but the referral route of the first consultation differed significantly: males were more frequently self-referred. Fewer female than male patients were found to have work-related complaints. With regard to these work-related complaints, inadequate relationships, and especially conflicts with superiors, were found to be the most frequent cause among patients of both genders, although differences in the content of these complaints did exist.
Soeda
Shuji
S
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
Kaku
Akiko
A
Hayashi
Takeshi
T
Sugawara
Yoichi
Y
Nakamura
Jun
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace