Physical Demands and Health Risks in a Professional Occupation: An Analysis of the Implications for Mental Health

Abstract

This thesis extends the Job Demand-Control (Support) model by examining whether physical demands and health risks impact on the mental health of professional workers. It also examines whether men and women experience different amounts of physical demands and health risks and whether the impact on depression differs by gender. Survey data from 378 veterinarians were used. First, women report significantly more frequent experiences of improper posture and lifting, exposure to radiation and exposure to chemicals and gases as compared to men. Second, improper posture and lifting and risk of injury and illness have significant positive effects on depression for both women and men, whereas risk of injury and illness and exposure to radiation have significant gender-specific effects on female and male veterinarians’ depression. The findings of this study further our understanding of the impact of work experiences on professionals’ mental health.