The overarching aim of this research was to explore gender difference in how executives cope with psychological job strain over time, using the Critical Incident Technique.
A background review of the literature set the landscape for this UK study and an integrative literature review explored diverse perspectives on how individuals cope with psychological job strain. Overall, findings identified a dominance of quantitative studies, none specifically with executives and only one UK study with supervisors and managers from 1986. Cross sectional research and short-term recall failed to capture participant reflections and personal impact over the long-term. The gaps identified from the extant literature informed the theoretical foundations of the subsequent empirical study.
Using reflexive thematic analysis, 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with UK executives in 2021/2022. Exploring gender differences and asking participants to recount experiences over their career trajectory, this study captured the longer-term experiences of leadership and the impact on the health and wellbeing of senior ranking employees. Findings identified shared gender experiences of positive coping strategies during ‘steady state’, compared to maladaptive behaviours during periods of ‘peak strain’, which were often exacerbated by a negative culture and the destructive behaviour of senior colleagues. Maladaptive coping, including a vast increase in working hours, limited sleep and exercise, and poor eating and drinking habits, led to executives experiencing negative mental and physical health issues. Gender differences identified female executives undertaking greater responsibility for others, both internally and externally to the workplace, and greater utilisation of social support. Male executives experienced more severe levels of mental and physical ill-health, including suicidal thoughts, full mental breakdown, cardiovascular problems and cancer.
Suggestions are made for future research, practice and policy development to promote adaptive coping strategies that protect the mental and physical health of executives and all employees.