Effects of Emotional Labor Factors and Working Environment on the Risk of Depression in Pink-Collar Workers.

Hae-Ryoung Chun,Youngeun Choi,Sung-Il Cho,Inhyung Cho

doi:10.3390/ijerph17145208

Hae-Ryoung Chun, Youngeun Choi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145208

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Abstract

Analyzing men and women separately, we examined the associations between six key elements of the psychosocial work environment of pink-collar workers (n = 7633) and the risk of depression, using logistic regression analysis with data from the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2017. We assessed the risk of depression according to the presence of emotional display rules (EDR), health and safety information (HSI), and emotional labor. In males, the risk of depression increased when there were no EDR and they had to interact with angry customers (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.14–3.30). For women, the risk of depression increased if they had to interact with angry customers and EDR were present (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.00–3.00), and if they did not receive HSI but had to interact with angry customers (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.02–2.71), or hid their emotions and did not receive HSI (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.50–2.40). The risk of depression increased more in the presence of EDR among women who hid their emotions (OR 1.80, 95% CI, 1.40–2.31) compared to women who did not hide their emotions and in the absence of EDR. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the effects of gender-specific factors on the risk of depression and revise current guidelines accordingly.

Highlights

Major depressive disorder is prevalent worldwide, research investigating the risk of depression in the workplace is still insufficient [1]
The results revealed an interaction effect between emotional labor factors and guidelines pertaining to emotional display rules (EDR)/health and safety information (HSI) on the risk of depression, which varied by gender
The risk of depression increased when dealing with angry customers and knowing of EDR

Summary

Introduction

Major depressive disorder is prevalent worldwide, research investigating the risk of depression in the workplace is still insufficient [1]. Risk of depression has a high prevalence and major impact, and the socioeconomic costs increase rapidly every year [3]. Risk of depression adversely affects job performance [4]. Risk of depression in the workplace can affect productivity by increasing absenteeism [5]. Sick leave due to mental health problems such as risk of depression has been increasing in recent years [6]. When the mental health of those performing emotional work deteriorates, company productivity decreases, and excessive stress, risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts can occur at the individual worker level [7,8]. As the workers’ health is important in the labor market, ensuring workers’ health and safety and attending to their working environment are crucial

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