Psychological distress of women working in banks

• Published in: Asia-Pacific psychiatry 2011-09, Vol.3 (3), p.145-150
• Main Authors: Bez, Yasin, Emhan, Abdurrahim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Banking industry; banking sector; Burnout; gender difference; psychological distress; Stress
• ISSN: 1758-5864; 1758-5872
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2011.00133.x

Introduction We aim to identify burnout and psychological distress levels in employees of three different types of banks, including conventional banks (government and private) and interest‐free banks. Methods All branches of the three different types of banks were visited in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the southeastern part of Turkey. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Symptom Check List‐90 Revised (SCL‐90‐R), and a demographic form were delivered to 235 bank employees in July 2009. Data from the 163 respondents were analyzed. Results Employment of women in private banks was higher than in government and interest‐free banks. The mean scores of somatization, obsessive‐compulsiveness, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, general symptom index in the SCL‐90‐R and emotional exhaustion were higher in women than in men. Younger employees felt less personal accomplishment than their older colleagues. Additionally, less experienced employees were under greater stress from working directly with people. They did not feel successful in their jobs. The three groups were similar in terms of burnout levels, but the SCL‐90‐R showed significantly different scores between the groups. Discussion Women employed in the banking sector were at risk for psychological distress and emotional exhaustion. Younger employees felt a decreased sense of personal accomplishment. Private bank employees experienced a larger level of psychological distress which was not reflected in their burnout levels.