Psychological stress in middle-aged and aged executives

Neurotic symptoms were considered to be present in 21.9% of the 210 employees of a company following data analysis from a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, 60 question items). The results in middle-aged and aged executives were compared. The total GHQ score was > or = 17 in 18/55 executives aged 40 years or above, but in only 9/60 non-executives controls was a significant difference observed (P < 0.05) between executives and non-executives. The scores for three subordinate scales, namely somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and social dysfunction, were higher in the executives than in the non-executives and showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the anxiety and insomnia scale. These results suggest that middle-aged and aged executives are more likely to have neurotic symptoms and more frequently to have anxiety and insomnia than their controls. We would like to apply this method to aid in the prevention, early detection and early management of stress.