No surprise: The Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP) points out that the harsh climate in the working world is particularly troubling for women who are trying to reconcile family and work. Constant stress, burnout or depression – the findings of the experts are dramatic.
Overtime, job anxiety – the pressure is increasing
Germany's employees report sick less and less – but when they do, psychological factors are increasingly the cause. Their share of lost days rose between 2001 and 2005 from 6.6 percent to 10.5 percent. According to an EMNID survey, every fourth German employee suffers from burn-out syndrome, which is physical and emotional exhaustion. Inability to work due to mental illness increased by 70 percent between 1994 and 2004.
Why are workers in this country so stressed? The experts cite the current harsh climate in the world of work as the main causes: time and pressure to succeed, increasingly complex tasks, growing responsibility, insecure working conditions such as temporary work or fixed-term contracts, the lack of recognition or the widespread fear of losing a job. The required mobility and flexibility also lead to overtime and long-distance relationships, which in turn prevent working people from finding a balance in their private lives.
In the opinion of psychologists, such factors not only burden the individual employee, but also increasingly poison the working atmosphere. The result: where everyone (supposedly) fights for their professional survival every day, intrigue and bullying are widespread.
Why are women even more at risk of burnout?
"Only paid work is recognized – housework is not!"
Of course, adverse working conditions burden men and women equally. Nevertheless, the BDP insists in its report that women suffer even more than their male colleagues. Just one example: According to this study, medical professionals generally have an alarmingly high suicide rate – it is three times higher than that of other professional groups. In the case of medical professionals, however, it is up to five times higher!
This is in line with other studies: women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. Many experts assume that the diagnosis is easier to make in women – simply because they are more willing to talk about their problems.
However, scientists also argue that multiple stress and role conflicts contribute significantly to women's psychological problems. The professional association of psychologists is aiming in a similar direction when in its report it denounces the severe disadvantage of women in professional life: the still lower pay, but above all the difficulties of balancing family and work. Who should be surprised if a well-educated woman is frustrated because after the baby break she does work in a low-paying part-time job for which she is clearly overqualified?
In addition, even if women increasingly continue to work when they have children, that does not mean that they would do less in the household in return – and since "work" is generally only understood to mean that which is actually paid , they don't even get the recognition they need for it. The women are finally wiped out when the partner moves to another city because of the job and the woman alone has to manage her job, household and upbringing. Or when the relationship breaks up and she becomes a single parent.
This can have serious consequences: Studies show that women who feel overwhelmed by household chores and child-rearing duties often suffer from anxiety or panic disorders, develop depression or develop addictive behavior.
Equality in the job – an effective antidote?
At the end of its report, the BDP urgently calls for the consequences that should improve the situation of women in the world of work: Above all, they demand equal pay for both sexes and the introduction of minimum wages on which a family can live. It is also important to further expand childcare. In addition, the family work done by women must finally be recognized by society.
This article originally appeared on Eltern.de.