Work overcommitment during COVID-19 pandemic and mental illness among occupational physicians

Mental disorders are prevalent among medical professionals, significantly impacting their well-being and resilience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model indicates that an imbalance between work efforts and rewards, coupled with overcommitment, can lead to increased stress and mental health issues.

This research aims to analyse the association between psychosocial factors, assessed through the ERI model, and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress among physicians working in occupational health services in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 431 physicians in Brazil between October and December 2020. Participants completed a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, occupational aspects mental health assessments using the DASS-21 and the ERI questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including univariate and multiple ordinal logistic regression models, were performed to determine the association between ERI dimensions and mental health symptoms.

The sample included 58% female physicians (mean age 46.3 years) and 42% male physicians (mean age 53.8 years). The study found that 49% of female and 42% of male participants reported depressive symptoms, with high overcommitment to work significantly associated with increased odds ratio of mild to severe depressive symptoms in both sexes. Similar trends were observed for anxiety (36% of women, 31% of men) and stress (54% of women, 42% of men).

These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and organizational support to address mental health among physicians working in occupational services in Brazil, especially considering the ongoing challenges posed by public health crises.