Ann Occup Environ Med.
2016 ;28(1):61. 10.1186/s40557-016-0147-7.
Descriptive study of claims for occupational mental disorders or suicide
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hanyang University Medical Center, 222-1, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763 Korea.
- 2Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763 Korea. inahkim@hanyang.ac.kr
- KMID: 2370941
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0147-7
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
This study aimed to identify the characteristics of claimed mental disorders. Because the workers believed the cause of the mental disorders was work-related stress or a specific event, we could identify the major work-related stressor for claimed cases.
METHODS
We included claimed cases of occupational mental disorder or suicide reported during 2010-2014 to the Korea Workers Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL), established by Industrial Accidents Insurance (IACI) Act. We conducted qualitative analysis using a form specifically developed for this study as well as a quantitative analysis.
RESULTS
Of the 569 claimed cases, 142 cases were recognized as occupational mental disorder or suicide. The approval rate was 24.9 %. Suicide was the most commonly approved mental disorder (23.0 %), followed by major depressive disorder (14.9 %). Regarding profession, 109 workers were managers, and 95 workers were office clerks. The main work-related stressors of the approved cases were acute stressful events (76 cases), long working hours (12 cases), and changes in workload (6 cases). The primary stressful events were work-related legal problems, workplace violence, and employment status-related issues.
CONCLUSION
Claims due to mental disorders or suicide increased during the 5-year study period, and the approval rate was approximately 33 %, and the main stressor of the claimed cases was an acute stressful event such as physiologic trauma, employment-related issues, fear of legal or financial responsibility, abrupt change in organizational responsibility, or workplace violence.
