Working conditions and mental health of employees suffering from common mental disorders in Germany with special consideration to the migration generation

PURPOSE: This study examines working conditions, mental health and their association among mentally burdened employees in Germany attending psychotherapeutic consultation at work, considering first- and second-generation migrants. METHODS: Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial on psychotherapeutic consultation at work (friaa study) were analyzed. Using χ²- and two-sided t-tests and one-way ANOVAs, differences between individuals with and without migration background (MB) as well as individuals without MB and first- and second-generation migrants were assessed regarding working conditions (self-constructed questions, five scales of the COPSOQ, PSC) and depressive (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-2) and somatic symptoms (SSS-8). Associations between working conditions and mental health were calculated for the entire sample and separately for individuals with and without MB using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Among 549 participants (54.8% female, mean age: 45.9 years (SD = 11.0), 12.4% had a MB. Individuals with MB more often worked in jobs associated with lower socio-economic status (blue-collar work: p=.008, fewer subordinates: p<.001, less possibilities for development: p=.004). Poorer work environment (especially in individuals without MB) (all βs≥0.124, all ps≤0.008) and quantitative job demands (especially in individuals with MB) (all βs≥0.118, all ps≤0.071, partially only statistical trends) were associated with worse mental health. Higher possibilities for development (in individuals with and without MB) (all βs≥-0.102, all ps≤0.071), social support (all βs≥-0.111, all ps≤0.016) and psychosocial safety climate (all βs≥-0.104, all ps≤0.044) (both especially in individuals without MB) were related to better mental health. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the importance of improving and tailoring working conditions to employees' needs, including consideration of MB. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS) at 01.03.2021 (DRKS00023049).