Abstract

GENDER AS A RISK FACTOR IN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS AMONG JOURNALISTS

Mental health symptoms are more likely to develop among professionals providing services to traumatized populations. Persistent exposure of tragedies and life-threatening events would presumably have a negative impact on psychological health. The present study investigates the role of gender as a risk factor among professionals that may influence the ontogeny of stress symptoms. It is hypothesized that females working in journalism are at higher risk to develop depression, anxiety, and PTSS. The Sample included media professionals from Lahore and the capital territory of Islamabad, age ranging from 20 to 61 years. The mean age of media professionals was 34.21 (SD=8.21) years. Data was collected from both male (n=440) and females (n=185) participants from different media houses and press clubs. Along with a detailed demographic sheet, data was collected on the Journalist Traumatic Exposure Scale and Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. T-values showed significant gender differences on depression (t=-2.54, p<.01) and females scored higher than male counterparts on depression. Moderation result illustrated that gender positively moderated the effect of trauma exposure on stress, anxiety, depression of journalists (B interaction=0.12, 0.11, 0.16 respectively; p<0.01) explaining 21% variance (R2=0.21). Though an increase in trauma exposure increases stress, anxiety, and depression of both male and female journalists; however, females are at a higher risk to develop mental health symptoms due to exposure to traumatic events. Coping strategies (e.g., offering trainings, professional development on trauma reporting, etc.) are recommended to promote the well-being of journalists

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