Workplace gender composition and long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders: A retrospective cohort study

Long-term sickness absence (LTSA) due to mental disorders is a public health concern. Workplace gender composition may influence employees' mental health outcomes; however, its impact on LTSA remains unclear. This study examined the association between workplace gender composition and the risk of LTSA due to common mental disorders, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and depressive state.

This was a retrospective cohort study of Japanese public employees who applied for LTSA for mental disorders between 2011 and 2022. Workplace gender composition or the proportion of female employees was used as the exposure variable. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risk ratio (RRR) of LTSA due to major depressive disorder, depressive state, and adjustment disorder.

Of the 943 employees, 55.7% applied for LTSA due to major depressive disorder; 23.2%, adjustment disorder; and 21.1%, depressive state. Multinomial logistic regression showed that major depressive disorder was associated with age (RRR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.05), gender composition (RRR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.95), manager (RRR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37-0.99), and clerical worker (RRR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.05-2.83). Male-dominated workplaces were associated with a higher relative risk of LTSA due to major depressive disorder. In contrast, female-dominated workplaces were associated with a higher relative risk of LTSA due to adjustment disorders.

Workplace gender composition influences LTSA due to mental disorders. Therefore, mental health strategies and interventions should be tailored to the gender composition of a workplace.