Washington, Apr 10 : Getting a promotion in job can be bad for health, suggests a new study.

The research led by researchers at the University of Warwick has found that job promotion on average produces 10pct more mental strain.

It has long been believed that improvement to a person's job status, through a promotion, will directly result in better health due to an increased sense of life control and self-worth. However, the new study found the contrary.

While analysing the British Household Panel Survey data set involving 1000 individual promotions, they found no evidence of improved physical health.

However, those who were promoted experienced a significantly greater mental strain. After a job promotion, there was on average a 10pct decrease in people's mental health.

Moreover, they also reported on average a 20pct drop in their visits to a doctor following the promotion.

The researchers believe that this might be because of the stress on promoted people that put more constraints on their time and they simply have less time to visit a doctor.

"Getting a promotion at work is not as great as many people think," said University of Warwick researcher Chris Boyce.

"Our research finds that the mental health of managers typically deteriorates after a job promotion, and in a way that goes beyond merely a short-term change.

"There are no indications of any health improvements for promoted people other than reduced attendance at GP surgeries, which may itself be something to worry about rather than celebrate," he added.

The study was presented at the Royal Economic Society's conference.