A study conducted by OpinionWay reveals that almost one in two employees shows signs of “psychological distress” after three weeks of confinement.
- A survey was conducted for a psychosocial risk prevention firm
- 44% of employees surveyed show signs of psychological distress related to confinement
- Women seem to be more susceptible to these disorders than men.
The confinement weighs on the mental health of the workers. A survey OpinionWay carried out for Empreinte Humaine, a firm specializing in the prevention of psychosocial risks and the quality of life at work, reveals that 44% of employees present psychological distress, ten points more than before the start of confinement. This opinion poll was conducted between March 31 and April 8 among 2,000 people.
A quarter of demotivated employees
Among people with cases of psychological distress, several levels exist. A quarter of them have a moderate level of psychological distress while 18% have a high level and a risk of depression requiring treatment. A figure which increases further for people confined as a couple (20%) or with a child (22%). Women are more exposed than men to psychological distress. They are 22% to be in a high situation of psychological distress against 14% of men.
This study is worrying since it only covers the first three weeks of confinement as we enter the fifth week. “The longer the confinement lasts, the more it is a risk factor for mental health”, emphasizes Christophe Nguyen, occupational psychologist and president of Empreinte Humaine. Psychologists are calling for public authorities and companies to be made aware and to put in place means for employees to prevent the situation from getting worse. “We know what works: it’s putting in place real prevention plans. Places of listening, places of expression, team meetings… What is important is not to remain alone with your distress”adds Christophe Nguyen.
The hierarchical level as an aggravating factor
By dissecting the results, we realize that professional motivation has deteriorated. Demotivation is present in a quarter of employees (24%) and rises to 50% among those who are in a situation of high distress. If seven out of ten employees consider that the company does its best to help them, it is first by their colleagues that they feel the most supported (79%), before their N+1 (70%). Célia, an employee in the marketing department of a cosmetics company, describes BFM TV the reasons for his psychological distress in teleworking. “It is a disaster, there is constant anguish. The video conferencing day never ends. It’s oppressive because you feel like you never have time for yourself. We feel obliged to be near our computer, ready to jump at the slightest video call notification… It drives you crazy.”
Certain factors have been identified as promoting psychological distress. “We do not know all the effects, but we see that there are alarming indicatorsexplains Christophe Nguyen, president of Human Footprint and occupational psychologist. Today, managers and employees tell us about hyperconnection, work overload, difficulty in reconciling professional and personal life. There was an urgency to set up telework. The tools did not follow because they were not intended for.” Housing is also an aggravating factor. Nearly a quarter of employees who live in housing of less than 40 m² are in high psychological distress.
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