Effects of changes in occupational stress on the depressive symptoms of Korean workers in a large company: a longitudinal survey

The association of job training duration and risk of depression among wage workers: an analysis of the mediating factors

Background

Research on job training and job satisfaction has been conducted from various perspectives. Job training is thought to be associated with job satisfaction, which is known as an important factor for depression among workers. We hypothesized that job training duration could influence depression through potential mediators (job satisfaction, motivation to work, and work engagement).

Methods

This study encompassed participants from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), conducted between 2020 and 2021. To show the relationships between demographic or occupational characteristics and risk of depression, a χ2 test was conducted. The association between job training duration, potential mediators, and risk of depression was analyzed by constructing multiple logistic regression models. The mediating effects of potential mediators on job training duration and risk of depression was evaluated with flexible mediation analysis with weighting-based methods.

Results

The final study population consisted of 25,294 participants. Longer job training duration significantly decreased risk of depression after adjusting for confounders. In the group that received the longest job training duration (≥ 10 days), compared with the group without job training, the odds ratio (OR) for high risk of depression was 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.54). Each three potential mediators showed statistically significant indirect effects and direct effect. Although indirect effects were not strong compared to direct effect, motivation to work had the strongest mediating effect in this study, with an OR of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92-0.95).

Conclusions

Job training duration was found to have a statistically significant negative association on the risk of depression, and three mediators partially mediating this effect. Although the mechanism was unknown, our findings suggest that job training has a positive influence on workers' mental health. Furthermore, by suggesting the possibility of other pathways existing between job training and depression, we provide directions for future research.

Synergistic interaction between long shifts and short rest periods on depression in shift workers: A cross-sectional study from Korea

BACKGROUND

Long shifts and short rest periods (SRP) between shifts are important factors that greatly affect shift workers' health. However, reports on the psychological effects of shift work, such as depression, have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the combined effect of long shifts and SRP on depression in shift workers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 3295 shift workers in the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was computed to estimate the combined effect of long shifts and SRP on depression.

RESULTS

Depression in shift workers was not significantly associated with long shifts or SRP after adjustment, but the risk was significantly increased when exposed to both factors simultaneously (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.79). The RERI between the two factors was statistically significant (p = 0.020), indicating a synergistic interaction with depression. Sensitivity analysis by occupation showed a significant interaction in the combined group of office and service workers (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous exposure to SRP and long shifts should be avoided when planning shift work schedules or devising health policies for shift workers. Special consideration is needed for healthcare and service workers, who may be particularly vulnerable to negative health impacts due to shift work.

Depression with obstructive sleep apnea lead to high cardiovascular disease morbidity/all-cause mortality: Findings from the SHHS cohort

The aim of this study is to explore the association between depression and obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease morbidity/all-cause mortality using Sleep Heart Health Study data. This post hoc analysis of a prospective study used patient data from the Sleep Heart Health Study conducted between 1995 and 1998. The association between depression and obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease morbidity/all-cause mortality was explored using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 4918 participants, 656 (13.3%) with obstructive sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea group), 1614 (32.8%) with depression (depression group), 482 (9.8%) with depression and obstructive sleep apnea (depression and obstructive sleep apnea group), and 2166 (44%) with neither obstructive sleep apnea nor depression (health group), were included. The incidence of cardiovascular disease was 24.5%, 31.0%, 31.6% and 41.7% for healthy, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, and depression and obstructive sleep apnea groups, respectively. The risk of cardiovascular disease in depression and obstructive sleep apnea participants was increased compared with that in healthy participants, which was consistent across various definitions of obstructive sleep apnea (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.24 [1.06-1.47]; 1.25 [1.05-1.49]; 1.28 [1.06-1.54]; 1.55 [1.22-1.96] for apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 10 per hr, 15 per hr, 20 per hr, 30 per hr, respectively). The risk of all-cause mortality was increased in the depression and obstructive sleep apnea participants (hazard ratio: 1.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.99) compared with that in healthy participants when the definition of obstructive sleep apnea was apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 30. Participants with depression and obstructive sleep apnea might be at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, and those with higher apnea-hypopnea index might be at a greater risk of all-cause mortality.

The significant association between quick return and depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances in paid workers: A nationwide survey

Objectives

Although many studies have examined the association between shift work and depression or insomnia, few studies have examined the relationship between quick return (QR) to work and depressive symptoms, regardless of shift work. Thus, in this study, we aimed to assess the association between depressive symptoms (DS)/sleep disturbances (SDs) and QR.

Methods

Data from the 6^th Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020) were used for this study. Paid workers aged between 20 and 65 years were included. DS were defined using the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) with a cut-off 50, and SD was defined as the occurrence of the following symptoms several times per month: difficulty in falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or feeling tired even after waking up. QR was defined as "at least one case where the working interval between leaving work and the next day's work was < 11 h in the past month." Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted odd ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine whether SD was a significant mediator in the association between QR and DS.

Results

Among the 27,554 participants, DS occurred in 8,277 patients, while SD occurred in 6,264 patients. The aORs (95% CIs) of DS and SD by QR were 2.01 (1.78-2.27) and 3.24 (2.87-3.66), respectively, after adjusting for age, gender, income, education, working hours, job status, working duration, region, shift work, and occupation. SD was a significant mediator in the association between QR and DS.

Conclusion

QR is significantly associated with DS or SD regardless of demographic factors and the working environment. The significant relationship between QR and DS may be mediated by SD.

Workload and job satisfaction among Austrian pediatricians: gender and generational aspects

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate different factors that may contribute to workload and job satisfaction among Austrian pediatricians.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey with 16 questions and performed statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Of 375 participating pediatricians, 61% were female, 39% male, 61% clinicians, 21% panel doctors and 12% private doctors. Overall, job satisfaction was moderate (6 ± 2.4 on a positive scale of 0-10). Higher working hours (p = 0.014) and higher patient numbers (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with lower job satisfaction. Lowest satisfaction was described for administrative or other nonmedical work. Lack of time for patient consultation was also correlated with poor satisfaction. Pediatricians older than 65 years reported the highest job satisfaction whereas pediatricians between 55 and 65 years and younger than 36 years showed the lowest scores. Although male pediatricians worked significantly more often more than 40 h per week than females (75% vs. 53%, p = 0.000), female pediatricians were less satisfied about the proportion of administrative (p = 0.015) and other nonmedical work (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

New working models considering less workload, particularly less nonmedical work and intensified collaboration between pediatric clinicians and practitioners are needed to allow more available time per patient, to increase job satisfaction and thus to raise attractivity for pediatric primary care.

The Relationship Between Occupational Stress and Turnover Intention Among Emergency Physicians: A Mediation Analysis

Background

There is evidence that occupational stress is a risk factor for turnover intentions. However, the structural relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention among emergency physicians has rarely been studied. This study aimed to examine the pathways of occupational stress on turnover intention through job satisfaction and depressive symptoms among emergency physicians in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in China from July 2018 to August 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, occupational stress, job satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and turnover intention. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to explore the related factors of turnover intention. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the pathways from occupational stress to turnover intention.

Results

A total of 10,457 emergency physicians completed the questionnaire. The score of turnover intention was 11.34 (SD = 3.25), and the average item score of turnover intention was 2.84 (SD = 0.81). In structural equation modeling, the occupational stress not only had a direct effect on turnover intention (standardized direct effect = 0.311, bias-corrected 95% confidence interval [0.261, 0.361], P &lt; 0.001), but also had an indirect effect through job satisfaction and depressive symptoms (standardized indirect effect = 0.448, bias-corrected 95% confidence interval [0.412, 0.484], P &lt; 0.001). However, the effect of depressive symptoms on turnover intention was weak (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.08, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions

Job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention. However, due to the weak effect of depressive symptoms on turnover intention, the mediating role of depressive symptoms between occupational and turnover intention had little practical value. It is recommended that hospital administrators prioritize increasing job satisfaction of emergency physicians to reduce the impact of occupational stress on their turnover intention.

Assessment and Discussion of Correlation Among Psychological Symptoms, Occupational Strain, and Neurotic Personality for Metro Drive

Metro driver is the prime person who is responsible for metro operation safety. The mental health of a metro driver is very important for the operation of the subway and requires the driver to keep high mental alertness to monitor the surrounding environment and also handle emergencies under uncertain or dangerous conditions. After a long-term occupational strain, a metro driver is likely to suffer from some mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, that ultimately threaten the lives of passengers. Therefore, in this study, we focus on the psychological symptoms of metro drivers from the angle of occupational strain and neuroticism. A total of 396 metro drivers from Kunming Rail Transit Operation Co., Ltd. in China were investigated through a questionnaire survey. Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Personal Strain Questionnaire (PSQ), and NEO-Five-Factor Inventory-Neuroticism Subscale (NEO-FFI-N) were applied to evaluate the psychological symptoms, occupational strain, and neuroticism in metro drivers, respectively. The surveyed data were analyzed by SPSS software. Based on the data, a path structural equation model was established to explore the correlation among occupational strain, psychological symptoms, and neuroticism. The results show that the scores for psychological symptoms and occupational strain are higher than the Chinese adult norm among metro drivers. The occupational strain, neuroticism, and psychological symptoms are all positively correlated in the metro drivers. Occupational stress has a direct influence on the psychological symptom, while neuroticism plays a partial mediation role between occupational strain and psychological symptoms. The results of this study can be applied to optimize the employee selection system and training system for metro operation companies.

Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Brazil during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil is extremely severe, and Brazil has the third-highest number of cases in the world. The goal of the study is to identify the prevalence rates and several predictors of depression and anxiety in Brazil during the initial outbreak of COVID-19. We surveyed 482 adults in 23 Brazilian states online on 9-22 May 2020, and found that 70.3% of the adults (n = 339) had depressive symptoms and 67.2% (n = 320) had anxiety symptoms. The results of multi-class logistic regression models revealed that females, younger adults, and those with fewer children had a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety symptoms; adults who worked as employees were more likely to have anxiety symptoms than those who were self-employed or unemployed; adults who spent more time browsing COVID-19 information online were more likely to have depression and anxiety symptoms. Our results provide preliminary evidence and early warning for psychiatrists and healthcare organizations to better identify and focus on the more vulnerable sub-populations in Brazil during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Multiple psychosocial work exposures and well-being among employees: prospective associations from the French national Working Conditions Survey

Aims: Working conditions, especially psychosocial work factors (PWFs), are thought to influence mental health outcomes among working populations, but there have been few studies on well-being per se. We assessed the prospective associations between a wide variety of occupational factors, including PWFs, multiple exposure to these factors, and well-being among employees in France. Methods: This study was based on a nationally representative sample of 15,776 employees, including 6595 men and 9181 women, followed up from 2013 to 2016. Psychological well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Occupational factors included 20 PWFs, 4 factors related to working time/hours, and 4 physical work exposures. The associations of occupational exposures with poor well-being were estimated using weighted robust Poisson regression models in men and women separately. Results: Among the employees who rated their well-being as good in 2013, 10.3% of men and 16.8% of women had a poor well-being 3 years later. Most PWFs in 2013 were associated with poor well-being in 2016 among women, and half of them among men. An increase in the risk of poor well-being with the number of PWFs was found. Noise exposure was associated with poor well-being in women. Conclusions: The occupational factors associated with psychological well-being were mainly those related to the psychosocial work environment. A linear association was observed between the number of exposures to PWFs and well-being. Preventive policies focused on PWFs may be beneficial for well-being. More attention should be given to multiple exposures to these factors.

Perceived Psychological Feelings Make Important Contributions to the Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders of Medical Staff During the COVID-19

OBJECTIVE

Lack of information about mental health status among medical staff during the epidemic of COVID-19 in China is one of the major barriers to psychological interventions. This paper aims to evaluate the contributions of perceived psychological feelings to the symptoms of common mental disorders among medical staff during the epidemic of COVID-19 in China.

METHOD

A large sample of medical staff based on a non-probability sampling design was collected from February 17 to 24, 2020. The symptoms of common mental disorders were screened based on self-reported instruments to evaluate psychological distress, anxious symptoms, and depressive symptoms during the past week. Perceived psychological feelings were based on self-report. Logistic regressions and elastic net regularizations were used to evaluate the independent effect of the psychological feelings controlled by hospitals and participants characteristics.

RESULTS

Totally 4,677 medical staff completed the survey. The prevalence of psychological distress, anxious symptoms, and depressive symptoms were 15.9% (95% CI 14.8-16.9), 16.0% (95% CI 15.0-17.1), and 34.6% (95% CI 33.2-35.9). Feelings of having adequate personal protective equipment, receiving enough emotional supports from both family members and colleagues were significantly associated with fewer symptoms of common mental disorders, while the feelings of overloaded work and insufficient rest times contributed to more psychological problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological feelings make important contributions to the symptoms of common mental disorders of medical staff during the epidemic of COVID-19. Strategies of psychological aids or interventions could be developed based on these feelings.

A study of job stress, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in display manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional study

Background

This study aimed to investigate the association between job stress and suicide ideation/attempts among display manufacturing workers.

Methods

Data were collected from 836 workers in a display manufacturing company who participated in health screenings from May 22 to June 16, 2017. The data included general characteristics, night work, job tenure, previous physician-diagnosed chronic diseases, suicidal ideation/suicide attempts, and job stress. We investigated suicidal ideation/suicide attempts that covered the past year by using a self-reported questionnaire. Job stress was measured using the 43-item Korean Occupational Stress Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between job stress and suicidal ideation/suicide attempts. The mediator effect of depression on suicidal ideation/suicide attempts was tested using a series of logistic regression by applying Baron and Kenny's mediation method.

Results

In the model adjusting for variables (e.g., age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, shift work, job tenure, chronic disease and depression), physical environment (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.08–12.02), lack of reward (OR: 5.31, 95% CI: 1.54–18.34), and occupation climate (OR: 7.36, 95% CI: 2.28–23.72) were correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts in women. However, all subscales of job stress were not significantly correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts in men. In mediation analysis, job instability and occupational climate were correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts and were mediated by depression in men workers.

Conclusions

In women workers, the experiences of suicidal ideation/suicide attempts were significantly correlated with the physical environment, lack of reward, and occupational climate that were subscales of job stress. In men workers, depression rather than job stress was correlated with experiences of suicidal ideation/suicide attempts.