Job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing in bio-medical researchers

Introduction, The aim of the stuay was to assess job satisfaction and risk of depression/anxiety in researchers of a Research Institute in Rome. Methods. The personnel was invited to participate in a survey filling in the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for the screening of depression/anxiety disorders and the evaluation of psychological stress, and a validated satisfaction questionnaire. Results. A descriptive analysis was conducted and logistic regressions were performed examining the following outcomes in separate models: being positive at the GHQ and being satisfied. The response rate was 52%. Among participants 15.1% were at risk of depression/anxiety, 77.4% were stressed and 66% were dissatisfied. Major determinants for dissatisfaction were "job opportunities", "communication between Units", "judgment about spaces", "economic rewards", "participation in the organization of the Unit". Conclusions. Dissatisfaction with "economic rewards" was predictive of depression, independently of sex, age and job duration. Areas of possible intervention were identified. © PI-ME. Pavia 2010.