The impact of psychosocial and organizational working conditions on the mental health of female cleaning personnel in Norway
2006

Mental Health of Female Cleaning Personnel in Norway

Sample size: 374 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gamperiene Migle, Nygård Jan F, Sandanger Inger, Wærsted Morten, Bruusgaard Dag

Primary Institution: University of Oslo

Hypothesis

This study examined the association between psychosocial and organizational work conditions and mental health among women employed in the cleaning profession in Norway.

Conclusion

Mental health problems are frequent among female cleaning professionals in Norway, with significant associations found between mental health and quality of leadership, collaboration with co-workers, and ethnicity.

Supporting Evidence

  • 17.5% of respondents scored above the mental health threshold, compared to 8.4% among average working Norwegian women.
  • Poor satisfaction with leadership and co-workers was significantly associated with mental health problems.
  • Women not born in Norway had a higher risk of mental health issues.

Takeaway

Many women who clean for a living in Norway feel sad or anxious, especially if they don't get along with their bosses or coworkers.

Methodology

Self-report questionnaires were mailed to 661 cleaning staff personnel from seven cleaning organizations in seven different cities across Norway, with a response rate of 64%.

Potential Biases

Self-reporting may lead to biases in the perception of work stressors and mental health.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to biases, and focused only on female participants, excluding male cleaning professionals.

Participant Demographics

The average age of respondents was 43 years, with 88% being women, 86.3% born in Norway, and 73.3% married or cohabitating.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

2.06 – 2.25

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1745-6673-1-24

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