Work-related Depression Research Articles

Dangers of workplace bullying: evidence from the Caribbean

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether person-related bullying, work-related bullying, and physically intimidating bullying predict three forms of job strain: physical exhaustion, work-related depression, and interpersonal counterproductive work behaviour (CWB-P).Design/methodology/approachThe study surveyed a wide cross-section of employees across a number of private sector organisations in a small developing country in the Caribbean region.FindingsThe prevalence rate of workplace bullying in the current Caribbean sample was 54 per cent. The regression results revealed that person-related bullying and work-related were positively related to work-related depression, whereas physically intimidating bullying and work-related bullying were positively related to CWB-P. None of the three forms of bullying predicted physical exhaustion. When the overall workplace bullying composite was used, all three job strains were significantly predicted.Research limitations/implicationsThe study utilised a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences to be made. Common method variance is a possible limitation due to the use of self-report measure but this was ruled out by a Harman’s single factor test. Longitudinal research using a mixture of subjective and objective measures is needed to further investigate these relationships reported here.Practical implicationsFirst, social and interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence training and development opportunities should be provided to both managers and employees as a means of developing individuals who are socially aware, interpersonally competent, and emotionally intelligent in their interactions with each other at work. Second, a zero-tolerance approach should be communicated throughout the organisation evidenced by clear and explicit organisational policies against these acts. Third, it would be of good practical value to establish health and safety committees to identify, assess and tackle various psychosocial and other hazards at work (e.g. workplace bullying).Originality/valueThe study utilised a three-dimensional model of bullying at work (as well as a composite form of bullying) for predicting three forms of job strains among employees in various Caribbean workplaces.

Emotional intelligence and job performance: the role of psychological well-being

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the mediating roles of two dimensions of psychological well-being (job satisfaction and work-related depression) in the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and task performance, individual-targeted citizenship behaviours (OCB-I) and organisation-targeted citizenship behaviours (OCB-O). Design/methodology/approach This survey study of 262 employees in a small island territory in the Caribbean captured data on EI, psychological well-being and various dimensions of job performance. Multiple mediation hypotheses were tested using the 95 per cent bootstrapping confidence interval (CI) estimation approach. Findings The results revealed that job satisfaction and work-related depression mediated the relationship between EI and task performance; and the relationship between EI and OCB-O, but only work-related depression mediated the relationship between EI and OCB-I. Research limitations/implications The study utilised a cross-sectional study design and self-reported measures but still presented significant implications for existing and future theoretical models of EI and job performance. Practical implications Organisations should seek to develop high levels of EI in their employees as a means of improving their overall psychological health and well-being and performance behaviours at work. Originality/value The study examines multiple mediation of various psychological well-being dimensions in the EI-job performance relationship using the 95 per cent bootstrapping CI approach.

Work-Related Depression in Primary Care Teams in Brazil.

To identify work-related factors associated with depressive symptoms and probable major depression in primary care teams. Cross-sectional study among primary care teams (community health workers, nursing assistants, nurses, and physicians) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil (2011-2012; n = 2940), to assess depressive symptoms and probable major depression and their associations with job strain and other work-related conditions. Community health workers presented higher prevalence of probable major depression (18%) than other primary care workers. Higher odds ratios for depressive symptoms or probable major depression were associated with longer duration of employment in primary care; having a passive, active, or high-strain job; lack of supervisor feedback regarding performance; and low social support from colleagues and supervisors. Observed levels of job-related depression can endanger the sustainability of primary care programs. Public Health implications. Strategies are needed to deliver care to primary care workers with depression, facilitating diagnosis and access to treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Preventive interventions can include training managers to provide feedback and creating strategies to increase job autonomy and social support at work.

EEG alpha frequency correlates of burnout and depression: The role of gender

EEG alpha frequency band biomarkers of depression are widely explored. Due to their trait-like features, they may help distinguish between depressive and burnout symptomatology, which is often referred to as “work-related depression”. The present correlational study strived to examine whether individual alpha frequency (IAF), power, and coherence in the alpha band can provide evidence for establishing burnout as a separate diagnostic entity. Resting EEG (eyes closed) was recorded in 117 individuals (42 males). In addition, the participants filled-out questionnaires of burnout and depression. Regression analyses highlighted the differential value of IAF and power in predicting burnout and depression. IAF was significantly related to depressive symptomatology, whereas power was linked mostly to burnout. Moreover, seven out of twelve interactions between EEG indicators and gender were significant. Connectivity patterns were significant for depression displaying gender-related differences. The results offer tentative support for establishing burnout as a separate clinical syndrome.

Shift work disorder, depression, and anxiety in the transition to rotating shifts: the role of sleep reactivity

AimThe aim of this study is to investigate premorbid sleep reactivity as a vulnerability to incident shift work disorder (SWD), and related changes in depression as well as anxiety following a transition to a rotating shifts work schedule. MethodsThis is a longitudinal study with two waves of data collection. The community-based sample included normal sleeping non-shift workers (N = 96; 62.5% female; 47.9 ± 13.3 years) without a lifetime history of insomnia or baseline excessive daytime sleepiness who transitioned to rotating shift work one year later. Participants reported demographic characteristics, trait sleep reactivity on the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, depression symptoms on the Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology, and anxiety symptoms on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. SWD was determined based on significant sleep disturbance and/or excessive sleepiness in the context of working in a rotating-shift schedule. ResultsAnalyses revealed that the odds were over five times greater for highly sleep-reactive individuals to develop SWD after transitioning to rotating shifts (OR = 5.59, p = 0.04). Nearly 90% of participants who suffered from SWD were accurately identified as high risk at one year before disease onset. Furthermore, individuals who developed SWD reported greater increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Finally, analyses revealed significant indirect effects wherein high sleep reactivity increased risk for SWD, which led to greater severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. ConclusionsThe Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) accurately identifies a focused target population in which the premorbid psychobiological processes complicit in SWD onset and progression, as well as shift work-related depression and anxiety changes, can be better investigated, thus improving future preventative efforts.

Work-related depression and associated factors in a shoe manufacturing factory in Haiphong City, Vietnam.

To determine the prevalence and associated factors of work-related depression among the employees of a shoe manufacturing factory in Haiphong City, Vietnam. We carried out this cross-sectional study among 420 workers in 2012 in Le Lai II Shoe Manufacturing Factory in Haiphong City, Vietnam using Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM IV) tool for measuring depression. The study results show that a relatively high proportion of workers (20.7%) belongs to the high-strain group based on Karasek's model. The prevalence of work-related depression among workers was relatively high (18.8%). The factors associated with depression at work were high psychological demand (adjusted OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1-8.3), low social support (adjusted OR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.2-12.8), inadequate work protection materials (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.2-10.1) and work absenteeism (OR = 6.2, 95% CI: 2.5-18.9). Strengthening the social support network (involving supervisors and co-workers), reducing psychological job demand and assuring work protection materials at the workplace may highly facilitate reducing work-related depression.

Workplace bullying, employee performance and behaviors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether two factors of affective psychological well-being, job satisfaction, and work-related depression, play a role in mediating the relationship between workplace bullying as a social stressor at work and three forms of employee performance or behaviors: task performance, individual-targeted citizenship behavior (OCB-I), and interpersonal counterproductive work behavior (CWB-P). Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopted a cross-sectional survey research design which captured a sample of 262 employees across a number of organizations in a small developing country in the Caribbean region. Findings – The findings revealed that job satisfaction alone partially mediated the relationship between workplace bullying and task performance, whereas work-related depression alone partially mediated the relationship between workplace bullying and OCB-I. Both job satisfaction and work-related depression partially mediated the relationship between workplace bullying and CWB-P. Research limitations/implications – The paper utilized a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences to be made. Longitudinal research is needed to further investigate these relationships reported here. Practical implications – Management must seek to deal with the emergence of workplace bullying through their human resource management policies and practices as well as encouraging positive interpersonal work climates and cultures among employees. Originality/value – The paper is the first to investigate how various elements of psychological well-being can serve to mediate the relationship between workplace bullying and performance outcomes.

Examining the relationships between work-related stress and depression for nursing students by using saliva cortisol as a biological indicator

Examining the relationships between work-related stress and depression for nursing students by using saliva cortisol as a biological indicator

Beyond Workers’ Compensation

The mental health of men is an important issue with significant direct and indirect costs emerging from work-related depression and suicide. Although the merits of men's community-based and workplace mental health promotion initiatives have been endorsed, few programs are mandated or formally evaluated and reported on. Conspicuously absent also are gender analyses detailing connections between masculinities and men's work-related depression and suicide on which to build men-centered mental health promotion programs. This article provides an overview of four interconnected issues, (a) masculinities and men's health, (b) men and work, (c) men's work-related depression and suicide, and (d) men's mental health promotion, in the context of men's diverse relationships to work (including job insecurity and unemployment). Based on the review, recommendations are made for advancing the well-being of men who are in as well as of those out of work.

Becoming Depressed at Work: A Study of Worker Narratives

Depression at work has been the subject of a growing body of research. However, though increasing attention is being paid to more contextualized orientations to the phenomenon, little is known of the experience of the depressed worker as worker, rather than (just) as depressed patient. There are few empirical accounts of how the workplace itself is implicated in the processes of becoming depressed. This article discusses the findings of an in-depth narrative interview study of 20 workers diagnosed with depression. A Systemic Family Therapy interview framework was utilized, enabling a focus not merely on medical symptoms but also on the network of workplace relations within which workers had been embedded prior to diagnosis. Implications of the findings for the management of work-related depression are discussed.

Mental Health of a Police Force: Estimating Prevalence of Work-Related Depression in Australia without a Direct National Measure

The risk of work-related depression in Australia was estimated based on a survey of 631 police officers. Psychological wellbeing and psychological distress items were mapped onto a measure of depression to identify optimal cutoff points. Based on a sample of police officers, Australian workers, in general, are at risk of depression when general psychological wellbeing is considerably compromised. Large-scale estimation of work-related depression in the broader population of employed persons in Australia is reasonable. The relatively high prevalence of depression among police officers emphasizes the need to examine prevalence rates of depression among Australian employees.

Work-Related Depression in Frontline Service Jobs in the Hospitality Industry: Evidence from Iran

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a research model that investigates work-related depression in frontline employees in the hospitality industry. Specifically, the model examines exhaustion and disengagement as full mediators of the effects of customer verbal aggression and perceptions of organizational politics on work-related depression. Data pertaining to the predictor and criterion variables were obtained from frontline hotel employees in two waves in Iran where the two waves were separated by a time lag of one week. The aforementioned relationships were tested using LISREL 8.30 through path analysis. The results revealed that disengagement functioned as a full mediator of the effects of customer verbal aggression and perceptions of organizational politics on work-related depression. On the contrary, there was no empirical support for the mediating role of exhaustion. Management implications of the findings, limitations of the study, and avenues for future research are discussed.

Two Forms of Group Therapy and Individual Treatment of Work-Related Depression: A One-Year Follow-Up Study

Patients on long-term sick-leave (> 90 days) from white collar work, with a diagnosis of work-related depression, dysthymia, or maladaptive stress reaction were randomized either to cognitive group therapy (CGT), focused psychodynamic group therapy (FGT), or to a comparison group. All patients were interviewed and responded to self-report questionnaires before the start of treatment and at 6 and 12 months. At the 12-month follow-up, 70% of the patients met the criteria for reliable change of the target symptom (depression), and the sample as a whole improved significantly on all measures used. However, there were no differences in outcome between the three treatment groups.

Relationship between Workplace Physical and Chemical Hazard Exposures and Mental Health Problems in Korea

Objectives: Mental health and work efficiency are adversely affected by exposure to physical and chemical hazards in the workplace. This study is the first large scale evaluation of the relationship between physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace in relation to the mental health of Korean workers. Methods: A national survey of a random sample of workers (n=10,043) was conducted between June and September 2006 in Korea. Physical and chemical hazards in the workplace were considered if exposure occurred over more than a quarter of the time spent at work. Mental health problems were defined as work-related depression, anxiety or insomnia. We analyzed whether physical and chemical hazards were independent risk factors for work-related mental health problems by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, gender, employment type, education, occupation, duty schedule, work hours, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results: The mean age of surveyed workers was 42 years and 58% were male. A total of 7.8% of workers had work-related mental health problems. Exposure to high temperature, mist, fumes, dust, chemicals, and radiation were associated with an increased risk of work-related mental health problems. Conclusions: This study reaffirmed that physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace significantly elevates the risk of work-related mental health problems.

Poster session 1

Work-related stress is a major cause of occupational ill health, high staff turnover and poor performance. A total of 13.8 million working days were lost to work-related stress, depression and anxiety in the UK in 2006/2007.[1] Previous research indicates that pharmacists experience job stress and role overload.[2] In recent years, work intensification, as a result of rising prescription numbers and role expansion, has been linked to increased pressure on community pharmacists.[3] The studies reported aim to explore the factors affecting the work patterns of community pharmacists.

The Influence of Workplace Violence on Work-related Anxiety and Depression Experience among Korean Employees

Work-related anxiety and depression are frequent work-related mental health problems. In this study the relationship between workplace violence and work-related anxiety and/or depression among Korean employees was evaluated. Data were obtained from the Korean Working Condition Survey of 2006. Participants were 9,094 Korean workers aged 15-64 yr. Multiple logistic regression using SAS version 9.1 was used. The incidence of work-related anxiety, work-related depression and workplace violence were 4.5%, 3.5%, and 1.8% respectively. When personal and occupational risk factors were adjusted, workplace violence was significantly associated with work-related anxiety and depression (OR for anxiety: 4.07, CI: 2.62-6.34; OR for depression: 4.60, CI: 2.92-7.25). Work-related anxiety was significantly related to type of employment, working period at present workplace, work time, shift work, job demand, and social support from superiors. Factors influencing work-related depression were gender, education, alcohol consumption, company size, type of employment, working period at present workplace, work time, shift work, and job demand. To promote psychological health in workers there is a need to develop work-related anxiety and depression prevention programs and to decrease in workplace violence. In developing these programs, consideration should be given to personal factors, working conditions, and psychosocial working environments.

Work-Related Depression among Hotel Employees

Given the putative cost of work-related depression, this article reports the results of a pilot study conducted among hotel employees in Central Florida. The study finds an initial indication of a small but noteworthy incidence of depression among workers in the hospitality industry. The article explores the antecedents and possible origins of depression, as well as critical issues related to depression in the workplace, particularly its effects on organizations and employees. The findings indicate a need for greater organizational awareness of depression.

Adjuvant occupational therapy for work-related major depression: 3.5 year follow up of a randomized controlled trial including economic evaluation

Adjuvant occupational therapy for work-related major depression: 3.5 year follow up of a randomized controlled trial including economic evaluation

Depression und Arbeitswelt

Since the 1990's there is a change at many workplaces in industrialized countries. Work related depression emerges as a major cause of long-term sickness. The relationship between work and depression is bidirectional: work gives acceptance and self-confidence to the individual but stress at the workplace may precede depression. The relationship between work-related stress and depressive disorders is shortly reviewed. The underestimated costs of lost productivity by depression are so impressive that better preventional and interventional strategies are necessary to reduce early disability payments and to improve rehabilitation at the workplace.

Fatores associados à depressão relacionada ao trabalho de enfermagem

A depressão, problema enfrentado pelos profissionais de enfermagem, pode acarretar absenteísmo no trabalho. Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar evidências científicas sobre a ocorrência de depressão relacionada ao trabalho de enfermagem e caracterizar fatores desencadeantes e estratégias utilizadas para a prevenção da doença. Revisamos a literatura por meio de levantamento das pesquisas publicadas entre 1995-2005, em revistas indexadas nas bases nacionais e internacionais. Constatou-se que a saúde mental desses profissionais pode ser influenciada por fatores internos e externos ao trabalho. As estratégias propostas enfatizam o suporte administrativo, o relacionamento interpessoal e a divisão adequada do trabalho entre um número suficiente de profissionais. Estas estratégias devem estar apoiadas no gerenciamento da depressão, na redução do estresse laboral e na implantação de programas de atenção a Saúde do Trabalhador. Os resultados obtidos contribuem para com o avanço do conhecimento científico e como incentivo para a realização de novas pesquisas.