[Mental health of white collar workers and the psychosocial environment at work]

In Québec, as in many other Western countries, mental health problems represent one of the principal causes of morbidity in the population and extended leaves of absence from the workplace. A portion of mental health problems at work seem to result from the combined effect of a highly demanding psychological factors and a little decision-making latitude in the workplace. A longitudinal study conducted over a one-year period among white-collar workers in the Québec City region has revealed that no significant link was demonstrated between leaves of absence resulting from mental health problems and stress in the workplace. However, the authors have identified certain white-collar sub-groups that have a greater risk of accumulating leaves of absence as a result of a combination of greater psychological demands and little latitude in terms of decision-making.