The workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing of early- and mid-career health academics

A cross-sectional analysis

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15380751
AutoresClaudia H Marck (0000-0002-3173-1522, The University of Melbourne, autor correspondente), Darshini Ayton (0000-0002-2754-2024, Monash University), Trevor Steward (0000-0003-3116-8175, The University of Melbourne), Hui‐Fern Koay (0000-0002-3236-9609, Peter Doherty Institute), Hui-Fern Koay, Joshua F Wiley (0000-0002-0271-6702, Monash University), George Taiaroa (0009-0009-3050-1424, Peter Doherty Institute), Courtney C Walton (0000-0003-0835-2310, The University of Melbourne), Isabelle Weld-Blundell (The University of Melbourne), Matthew D Greaves (0000-0002-3438-2874, The University of Melbourne), Ankur Singh (0000-0003-1336-6493, The University of Melbourne)
Ano2024
Volume24
Fascículo1
Páginas1122-1122
Data de publicação2024-04-23
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoBMC Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458
EditoraBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s12889-024-18556-0
PMID38654184
OpenAlexW4395049315
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas32

There are reports of poor working conditions for early and mid-career academics (EMCAs) in universities, however, empirical data using validated tools are scarce. We conducted an online, cross-sectional survey using validated tools to assess workplace satisfaction, exposure to workplace abuse, and mental health. Participants included employees of medical and health faculties of two of the largest Australian universities, surveyed between October 2020 and January 2021.Overall, 284 participants responded. Many reported job insecurity: half (50.7%) working on contracts with less than one remaining year. Workloads were considerable, with 89.5% of participants working overtime and 54.8% reporting burnout. Workplace abuse in the forms of bullying (46.6%), sexual harassment (25.3%), sexism (49.8%) and racism (22.5%) were commonly reported. Clinically significant symptoms of depression (28.0%), anxiety (21.7%) and suicidal ideation or self-harm (13.6%) were reported; with a higher prevalence among those working more overtime, and those exposed to workplace abuse. Priorities include providing a stable and safe workplace, increasing accountability and transparency in addressing workplace abuse, and supporting professional development.In summary, EMCAs in our study were commonly exposed to precarious employment conditions and workplace abuse. Our findings provide empirical evidence on where universities and funding bodies should direct resources and change organisational risk factors, to improve workplace culture

Burnout · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Harassment · Incivility · Job satisfaction · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Overtime · Poison control · Political science · Psychiatry · Public health · Suicidal ideation · Suicide prevention · Workplace violence · Clinical Psychology · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Stress and Burnout Research · Workplace Violence and Bullying