Psychosocial stress among Danish vicars

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 12 - 16
• Main Authors: Gyntelberg, F., Hein, H. O., Suadicani, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 2012
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Clergy - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Denmark - epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational health; Occupational psychology; Prevalence; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Risk Factors; Self Report; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Work condition. Job performance. Stress; Workload - psychology; Denmark; Europe; psychosocial workload; stress; Church of Denmark; vicars; Human; Church; Religion; Occupational exposure; Psychosocial factor; Stress; Workload; Working condition; Occupational medicine; Social aspect
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqr160

Background Burnout and depression are common among clergy members of several religions and denominations. Despite this, no studies have analysed whether differences in psychosocial workloads between vicars and others explain their higher prevalence of stress-related symptoms. Aims To test the hypothesis that elements of the job strain model (high work demands, low decision latitude and/or low job support) are mediators of the excess prevalence of stress-related health complaints among vicars compared with other employees in the Church of Denmark. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire sent to all employees in 500 Danish parishes (n = 2254). Results The study response rate was 73%, 35% of respondents were vicars and 43% were female. Compared with other employees, vicars felt quiet and relaxed less often (53 versus 67%), had less time for pleasure and relaxation (28 versus 11%) and felt happy and satisfied (53 versus 67%) less often. Vicars had significantly higher quantitative, cognitive and emotional work demands, lower work support, less influence on whom to collaborate with and less influence on their workload. Psychosocial workloads were more favourable for the vicars who had greater influence on job decisions and on job organization. The higher prevalence of stress-related symptoms among vicars was strongly modified by high work demands, in particular high quantitative demands. Conclusions The higher prevalence of stress-related symptoms among vicars could largely be attributed to high-quantitative work demands.