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Exploring Self-Care, Anxiety, Depression, and the Gender Gap in the Software Engineering Pipeline

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  • Alicia Julia Wilson Takaoka

    (Department of Computer Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7034 Trondheim, Norway
    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Letizia Jaccheri

    (Department of Computer Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7034 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Kshitij Sharma

    (Department of Computer Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7034 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

Software engineers may experience burnout, which is often caused by the anxieties and stresses of the workplace. Understanding the well-being and resilience practices of software engineers and evaluating their knowledge of mental health is one factor to understand our current, diverse, multi-generational workplaces. Here, we present preliminary results of a study examining the self-care practices of software engineers, a general overview of the state of mental health of software engineers, and correlations between expressions of mental health and demographic factors. Among 224 respondents, positive correlations between imposter syndrome and happiness, anxiety, and depression were identified. We also identified negative correlations between mental health literacy and imposter syndrome, happiness, anxiety, and depression. Well-being had a positive correlation with self-efficacy, as well as with happiness. We also present the Gender Gap in mental health and our findings in relation to that construct. Our findings suggest increasing mental health support services.

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia Julia Wilson Takaoka & Letizia Jaccheri & Kshitij Sharma, 2024. "Exploring Self-Care, Anxiety, Depression, and the Gender Gap in the Software Engineering Pipeline," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:11:p:1468-:d:1513877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Denise Wilson & Jennifer VanAntwerp, 2021. "Left Out: A Review of Women’s Struggle to Develop a Sense of Belonging in Engineering," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, August.
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