Age and Sex distribution

The age and sex distribution of work-related mental ill-health cases reported through THOR are shown in Table THORP01 and Table THORP02. The latest SWI information relating to age and sex relates to 2005/06. Age and sex data for self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety from SWI05/06 are shown in Table STRAGE1E (prevalence), and Tables STRAGE2E and STRAGE2W12 (incidence). The highest proportion of cases reported, both by occupational physicians and psychiatrists, occurred in the age groups 35-44 and 45-54 years.

The estimated prevalence rates of self-reported work-related stress from SWI05/06 were also highest among these two age categories. Taking both surveillance schemes together over the years 1999 to 2006 , more male cases were reported than female. However, this represents a pattern of more male cases being reported by psychiatrists and more female cases by occupational physicians. SWI05/06 data indicate a higher incidence rate among females. Further, in 2005/06 the male prevalence rate for work-related stress, depression or anxiety was lower than the previous year’s figure, which in turn was significantly lower than in the previous two SWI surveys.