In 2018, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on analysis by Executive Health Solutions that showed female executives were at a significantly greater risk of stress, anxiety and depression than their male counterparts. The findings highlighted that women in their 40s were 1.5 times more likely than men to experience these symptoms, with risk levels balancing out only by the time they reached their 50s.
Organisational psychologist Paul Flanagan noted at the time that gender roles and the pressure to excel professionally while raising children were major contributing factors.
What Has Changed Since 2018?
The Executive Health Index™ 2024, built from more than 31,000 assessments across 17 industries, reinforces that psychological health remains a critical challenge for female executives, particularly younger women.
Key findings include:
- Stress and Anxiety: Women aged 20–29 reported the highest levels of stress, highlighting that risks begin even earlier than previously noted.
- Workload: 15% of all executives work more than 60 hours per week, with women disproportionately represented in high-stress cohorts.
- Sleep: Poor sleep quality was reported by 43% of executives overall, impairing work performance by up to 30%. Women in younger age groups were most affected.
Why Female Executives Are at Higher Risk
The reasons behind these findings are complex but include:
- Competing demands: Many women juggle leadership roles with family and caregiving responsibilities.
- Cultural pressures: Ongoing expectations around performance, image and achievement amplify stress.
- Workplace structures: Long hours and limited flexibility remain barriers to balance.
Why Organisations Should Pay Attention
Poor mental health among executives has measurable impacts:
- 13% decline in productivity linked to stress, anxiety and depression.
- Retention risks when high-potential leaders burn out or exit the workforce.
- Cultural ripple effects, as employees model behaviour from their leaders.
Supporting Female Executives Today
To reduce these risks and build a healthier executive pipeline, organisations should:
- Provide comprehensive executive health assessments to detect stress and mental health risks early.
- Promote flexible working arrangements that enable balance without compromising career progression.
- Encourage regular recovery time through leave, breaks and downtime away from screens.
- Offer targeted wellbeing programs addressing stress management, sleep hygiene and resilience.
Conclusion
The story first highlighted in 2018 remains just as relevant today. The Executive Health Index™ 2024 confirms that female executives continue to experience higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression than their male peers. By recognising and addressing these risks, organisations can not only protect their leaders’ wellbeing but also strengthen long-term business performance.