Sickness Absence and Disability due to Psychiatric Disorders from a Gender Perspective - A Systematic Literature Review

Objective This work is aimed at providing a review of the literature on gender differences in the prevalence of mental disorders at the workplace. Methods: A systematic literature search of all original works on sickness absence and disability due to psychiatric disorders published in PubMed from 2000 through to 2011 was undertaken. Results: Female employees have more frequent and longer sickness absences due to psychiatric disorders. Male employees are at a high risk of disability due to psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: Gender-specific prevention strategies at the workplace should target the prevention of short and long-term consequences for female employees and the long-term impact of psychiatric disorders in male employees. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about implications for gender specific prevention strategies at the workplace.