[Mental malaise in health professionals: an approach to its study]

A study was made of the incidence of psychiatric malaise among health workers in the health area of La Axarquía, in the province of Málaga. Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, 28 items) was applied to the sample population (n = 137), and the differences obtained are discussed in relation to social and job-related variables. The occurrence of psychiatric malaise among the whole sample was 29.85%, with significant differences among those above the cutoff and place of work (hospital), sex (women), tobacco habit (smokers), and pleasantness of work situation (not pleasant). There were no significant differences among those above the cutoff and profession (although higher scores were recorded among administrative personnel), nor according to contractual situation (although higher scores were recorded among contracted staff). The study concludes with a series of measures aimed at early prevention and detection of symptoms of psychiatric maladjustment within the working environment.