Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2019 Nov;28(4):242-252. 10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.4.242.

Factors Influencing Depressive Symptoms in Public and Private Sector Employees

• Lee HJ
• Kim EY

• KMID: 2469258
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2019.28.4.242

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to identify factors influencing depressive symptoms in public and private sector employees.
METHODS
Survey data on 23,602 workers who had worked in the public or private sector were obtained from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). Symptoms of depression were measured using the WHO-5 Well-being Index. Data were analyzed using a χ² test, t-test, and multivariate stepwise logistic regression to determine the factors affecting the symptoms of depression.
RESULTS
First, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 41.1 % in public sector employees and 43.4 % in private sector employees. Second, the factors commonly affecting depressive symptoms in public and private sector employees were residence area, cognitive demands, development opportunities, social support from colleagues, social support from supervisors, social community at work, job rewards, and work-family conflict. In addition, age, company size, atypical work, ergonomic risks, quantitative demands, emotional demands, influence, and job insecurity were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms unique to private sector employees.
CONCLUSION
Mental health programs including the employee assistance program (EAP) should be developed and implemented after considering the risk factors affecting depressive symptoms.

Keyword

Depression; Public sector; Private sector; Employees; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Logistic Models
Mental Health
Prevalence
Private Sector*
Public Sector
Reward
Risk Factors