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Subjective underchallenge at work and its impact on mental health

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the relation between subjective underchallenge at work and the degree of depressiveness and life satisfaction.

Methods

A representative sample of the German general population of N = 1,178 (52.5% men; age: M = 40.4 years, SD = 11.3) was included in this study. Measurements contain Satisfaction with Life Scalè (SWLS) and the Patient Health Questionnairè (PHQ-D). To assess subjective underchallenge at work, a ten-item scale was developed for the purpose of this study. The association between subjective underchallenge at work, life satisfaction and depressiveness was examined by means of path analyses.

Results

A significant positive association was found between subjective underchallenge at work and depressiveness, mediated by life satisfaction. This association was not moderated by income but by level of education. Participants with a medium educational level displayed a weaker association than participants with either a high or a low educational level.

Conclusion

Not only work overload but also feeling underchallenged at work can have a negative impact on mental health and well-being. This is not an issue for blue-collar workers only and deserves more attention in future research.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité—University Medical Center, Berlin, Luisenstrasse 57, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    Anja Lehmann, Silke Burkert & Isolde Daig

  2. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Heide Glaesmer & Elmar Brähler

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  1. Anja Lehmann
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  2. Silke Burkert
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  3. Isolde Daig
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  4. Heide Glaesmer
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  5. Elmar Brähler
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Correspondence to Anja Lehmann.

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Lehmann, A., Burkert, S., Daig, I. et al. Subjective underchallenge at work and its impact on mental health. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84, 655–664 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-011-0628-5

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