Is commanding good or bad for mental health? Well, according to a study led by sociologist Tetyana Pudrovska, from the University of Texas at Austin, it depends on sex .
After analyzing the occupations and the psychological state of 1,300 volunteers and 1,500 middle-aged volunteers, Pudrovska and her collaborators concluded that female bosses were more likely to be depressed than women without responsibilities. But, in addition, the opposite happened with men: those who held executive positions in companies generally presented fewer depressive symptoms than the rest of the respondents.
Researchers have been very surprised by this result, since women with skills to hire, fire or decide the salaries of their subordinates meet a priori the typical requirements of good mental health : higher educational level, higher income, prestigious jobs, satisfaction work and autonomy.
Pudrovska offers an explanation: “Years of social research suggest that women in positions of authority face negative social interactions, stereotypes , social isolation, and resistance from subordinates, colleagues, and superiors. Female bosses are supposed to lack the confidence and assertiveness of strong leaders. And when they do behave as such, they are judged for being unladylike. All of this contributes to chronic stress. " Men have it, without a doubt, easier.
