The general mental health conditions and related factors of the occupational health physicians working in Ankara Province

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the personal and occupational factors associated with the general mental health status of occupational physicians. In this cross-sectional survey, data were collected through a self-administered online survey consisting of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and a demographic questionnaire for occupational physicians, including items on working conditions and workplace environment. A total of 185 occupational physicians participated in the survey, and 44.9% of the respondents were identified as being at risk for poor mental health based on their GHQ-12 scores. To identify factors associated with GHQ-12 risk status, a multivariable logistic regression model was constructed using variables that were statistically significant in univariable analyses, as well as variables that have been shown in the literature to be related to general mental health and were considered important in terms of the conceptual framework of the study. The odds of being in the GHQ-12 at-risk group decreased as the length of service as an occupational physician increased (OR = 0.928; 95% CI: 0.875–0.985; p = 0.013). Participants exposed to any form of workplace violence or bullying had 3.238 times higher odds of being in the GHQ-12 at-risk group than those who were not exposed (OR = 3.238; 95% CI: 1.624–6.455; p < 0.001). Similarly, participants who were required to work outside regular working hours had 2.401 times higher odds of being in the GHQ-12 at-risk group than those who were not (OR = 2.401; 95% CI: 1.210–4.762; p = 0.012). These findings highlight the necessity of regularly assessing the psychological well-being of occupational physicians, who play a critical role in delivering preventive health services to workers.