Within the Danish working population, low mental health is commonly observed, with symptoms of
depression, anxiety, and stress being among the most frequently reported. Low mental health is associated with reduced productivity, increased sickness absence, and early withdrawal from the labor market, potentially resulting in substantial consequences for the individual, companies, and the society as a whole.
Few studies have distinguished the prevalence of low mental health among different groups within the working population. In addition, research has shown that the prevalence of low mental health is greater among the youth compared to the general population, and they may thus be a particularly vulnerable group. Therefore, there is a lack of knowledge concerning changes in the prevalence of mental health among the working population, as well as which specific groups within the working population are particularly vulnerable.
Purpose
The aim of this project is to investigate changes in the prevalence of mental health among 1) employed individuals aged 18-75, and 2) employed individuals aged 18-34 between 2013 and 2021. The findings are presented in two separate reports. Furthermore, the project investigates differences in mental health across gender, age, company size, sector, job title, and industry.
Method
A combination of self-reported data and registry data is used to measure mental health. Each report comprises two distinct subtasks. Subtask 1 investigates changes in the prevalence of five self-reported mental health symptoms (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, sleep disturbances, low mental well-being, and stress) among employed individuals who participated in the Danish National Health Surveys in 2013, 2017, or 2021. Subtask 2 investigates the changes in the prevalence of three psychological conditions (depression, anxiety, and sleep problems) among employed individuals in Denmark, identified through prescription and hospital registers.
Project period
01.10.22 – 31.05.23
Funding
Velliv Foreningen