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. 2024 Oct 1;66(10):803-809.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003175. Epub 2024 Jun 28.

Discrimination in the Workplace Linked to Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Study in the United States

Elizabeth Keller  1 , Megan Guardiano, Jian Li
Affiliations

Discrimination in the Workplace Linked to Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Study in the United States

Elizabeth Keller et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between workplace discrimination and psychological distress across 9 years using data from the Midlife in the Unites States study.

Methods: Workplace discrimination was measured with a validated six-item scale at baseline with three categories (low, intermediate, and high), and psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6 scale at baseline and follow-up. In total, 1,546 workers were analyzed by linear regression.

Results: High levels of workplace discrimination were significantly associated with increased psychological distress at follow-up (crude β = 0.633; 95% CI, 0.307-0.959). After adjusting for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and health-related behaviors, associations were slightly attenuated (fully adjusted β = 0.447; 95% CI, 0.115-0.780).

Conclusions: High workplace discrimination was longitudinally associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Organizations should actively prevent discrimination, which may improve workers' mental health consequently.

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Conflict of interest statement

Li, Keller, and Guardiano have no relationships/conditions/circumstances that present potential conflict of interest.

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