Work

Gender differences in psychosomatic complaints across occupations and time from 2006 to 2018 in Germany: a repeated cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous research indicates that women report more psychosomatic complaints at work compared to men. However, there is a lack of research examining this gender gap across different occupational subgroups and over time. METHODS: The study utilized data from the nationwide German Employment Survey of the Working Population on Qualification and Working Conditions conducted in 2005/2006, 2011/2012, and 2017/ 2018. First, gender differences in psychosomatic complaints were analysed within the occupational subgroups categorized as white-collar high-skilled, white-collar low-skilled, blue-collar high-skilled and blue-collar low-skilled workers. Second, gender stratified time trends of psychosomatic complaints were analysed. A total of 58,759 participants were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Women consistently reported significantly higher levels of psychosomatic complaints compared to men across all years examined. The largest differences were observed in white-collar high-skilled occupations. From 2005/2006 to 2011/2012, gender differences increased; from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018, they stagnated. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that women experience more psychosomatic distress at work than men in all occupational subgroups and time points. White-collar high-skilled workers showed the highest gender gap in psychosomatic complaints. The gender gap widened from 2005/2006 to 2011/2012 and remained stable from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018. Future research should investigate the reasons and implications of this phenomenon, especially considering the increasing proportion of high-skilled white-collar workers, where the gender gap is most evident.

Source: BMC Public Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21462-8

Authors: Julia Grasshoff, Batoul Safieddine, Stefanie Sperlich, Johannes Beller

Institution: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Health and Well-being

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290