Exposure to work stress and use of psychotropic medications: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background There is good evidence that job stressors are prospectively related to mental health problems, particularly depressive symptoms. This review aimed to examine whether job stressors were also related to use of psychotropic medications. Methods Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach, we examined seven electronic databases that indexed literature from a wide range of disciplines. Inclusion criteria were (1) the study included a job stressor or psychosocial working condition as an exposure, and (2) psychotropic medication was an outcome. All effect-size estimates were considered but needed to present either a SE or 95% CIs to be included i..