Investigating the relationship between noise and occupation on the status of mental disorders and depression of workers using questionnaire (DASS) and (BAKK) in steel industries

Abstract

Introduction: In most industrial environments, people are exposed to noise daily. Exposure to this physical hazard can lead to cognitive impairment in individuals. Noise, like all pollutants, reduces the quality of life and causes significant mood disorders in people. The present study examines a set of cognitive factors to assess the mental health status of workers in terms of depression and stress in a noisy workplace.
 Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study in 1399, 1100 steelworkers were evaluated to determine the degree of depression and mood swings. The data were analyzed through a public call at the Isfahan Steel Plant. ISO 9612 (2009) standard was used to measure the sound pressure level. In addition to conducting clinical interviews, subjects answered the BAKK Depression Inventory and the DASS-42 Inventory Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v. 22).
 Results: Based on the findings of the study, annoying noise (above 85 decibels) had a significant effect on age factor on depression, marital status factor on anxiety, and shift factor on stress and self-criticism of employees (p <0.05). The mean of the stress variable in the case group was significantly higher than the control group (p <0.001), which indicates the effect of sound intensity level on increasing stress and depression in a noisy environment.
 Conclusion: The results of this study: Occupational noise higher than the standard 85 dB can have devastating effects on moods and various dimensions of workers' cognitive status.