Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Mood Disorders | Research

Association between depressive symptoms and employment type of Korean workers: the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey

Authors: Yun-Jung Yang, Jihye Lee

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

This study analyzed the association between depressive symptoms and employment type, by considering both socioeconomic status and job stress factors.

Methods

We analyzed 27,369 participants (13,134 men and 14,235 women) using data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey. The participants were divided into regular and precarious workers. Depressive symptoms were defined using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between depressive symptoms and employment type.

Results

Of the participants, 71.53% (N = 19578) were regular workers and 28.47% (N = 7791) were precarious workers. The weighted frequencies of participants with depressive symptoms (42.50%) were significantly higher than those of precarious workers (32.54%, p < 0.001). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, precarious workers had a significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms than regular workers (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–1.64; OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.26, respectively). The significant association between depressive symptoms and precarious workers has also been reflected in propensity score matched participants through crude and multivariate analysis (OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.43–1.66] and OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.04–1.26], respectively).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that precarious workers may have a higher risk of depressive symptoms than regular workers. However, this is only a cross-sectional study. Therefore, further study is required to investigate the relevance association between depressive symptoms and employment types.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference ILO. Non-standard employment around the world: understanding challenges, shaping prospects. Geneva: International Labour Office; 2016. ILO. Non-standard employment around the world: understanding challenges, shaping prospects. Geneva: International Labour Office; 2016.
3.
go back to reference Jang S. A study on the definition of non-regular workers and its scale in Korea. Korean J Ind Relat. 2012;22:55–77. Jang S. A study on the definition of non-regular workers and its scale in Korea. Korean J Ind Relat. 2012;22:55–77.
4.
go back to reference Chung D-B. The relationship between regular/irregular workers and job satisfaction - the comparison of group differences among young workers. Q J Lab Policy. 2018;18:105–30. Chung D-B. The relationship between regular/irregular workers and job satisfaction - the comparison of group differences among young workers. Q J Lab Policy. 2018;18:105–30.
5.
go back to reference Kim WY. The size of nonregular workers and the analysis of its recent trend. J Labour Economics. 2014;37:143–57. Kim WY. The size of nonregular workers and the analysis of its recent trend. J Labour Economics. 2014;37:143–57.
6.
go back to reference Yoo KB, Park EC, Jang SY, Kwon JA, Kim SJ, Cho KH, et al. Association between employment status change and depression in Korean adults. BMJ Open. 2016;6:e008570.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Yoo KB, Park EC, Jang SY, Kwon JA, Kim SJ, Cho KH, et al. Association between employment status change and depression in Korean adults. BMJ Open. 2016;6:e008570.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Jang SY, Jang SI, Bae HC, Shin J, Park EC. Precarious employment and new-onset severe depressive symptoms: a population-based prospective study in South Korea. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2015;41:329–37.CrossRefPubMed Jang SY, Jang SI, Bae HC, Shin J, Park EC. Precarious employment and new-onset severe depressive symptoms: a population-based prospective study in South Korea. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2015;41:329–37.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Kawakami N, Haratani T, Araki S. Effects of perceived job stress on depressive symptoms in blue-collar workers of an electrical factory in Japan. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18:195–200.CrossRefPubMed Kawakami N, Haratani T, Araki S. Effects of perceived job stress on depressive symptoms in blue-collar workers of an electrical factory in Japan. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18:195–200.CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Melchior M, Caspi A, Milne BJ, Danese A, Poulton R, Moffitt TE. Work stress precipitates depression and anxiety in young, working women and men. Psychol Med. 2007;37:1119–29.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Melchior M, Caspi A, Milne BJ, Danese A, Poulton R, Moffitt TE. Work stress precipitates depression and anxiety in young, working women and men. Psychol Med. 2007;37:1119–29.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
go back to reference Oshio T, Tsutsumi A, Inoue A. Do time-invariant confounders explain away the association between job stress and workers’ mental health? Evidence from Japanese occupational panel data. Soc Sci Med. 2015;126:138–44.CrossRefPubMed Oshio T, Tsutsumi A, Inoue A. Do time-invariant confounders explain away the association between job stress and workers’ mental health? Evidence from Japanese occupational panel data. Soc Sci Med. 2015;126:138–44.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Wang J, Schmitz N, Dewa C, Stansfeld S. Changes in perceived job strain and the risk of major depression: results from a population-based longitudinal study. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;169:1085–91.CrossRefPubMed Wang J, Schmitz N, Dewa C, Stansfeld S. Changes in perceived job strain and the risk of major depression: results from a population-based longitudinal study. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;169:1085–91.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396:1204–22.CrossRef GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396:1204–22.CrossRef
14.
go back to reference GBD 2019 Mental Disorders Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9:137–50.CrossRefPubMedCentral GBD 2019 Mental Disorders Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of 12 mental disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9:137–50.CrossRefPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference Enns MW, Bernstein CN, Kroeker K, Graff L, Walker JR, Lix LM, et al. The association of fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety with work and activity impairment in immune mediated inflammatory diseases. PLoS ONE. 2018;13:e0198975.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Enns MW, Bernstein CN, Kroeker K, Graff L, Walker JR, Lix LM, et al. The association of fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety with work and activity impairment in immune mediated inflammatory diseases. PLoS ONE. 2018;13:e0198975.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
16.
go back to reference Nakao M, Nishikitani M, Shima S, Yano E. A 2-year cohort study on the impact of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) on depression and suicidal thoughts in male Japanese workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2007;81:151–7.CrossRefPubMed Nakao M, Nishikitani M, Shima S, Yano E. A 2-year cohort study on the impact of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) on depression and suicidal thoughts in male Japanese workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2007;81:151–7.CrossRefPubMed
17.
18.
go back to reference Han KM, Chang J, Won E, Lee MS, Ham BJ. Precarious employment associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adult wage workers. J Affect Disord. 2017;218:201–9.CrossRefPubMed Han KM, Chang J, Won E, Lee MS, Ham BJ. Precarious employment associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in adult wage workers. J Affect Disord. 2017;218:201–9.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Kim SS, Subramanian SV, Sorensen G, Perry MJ, Christiani DC. Association between change in employment status and new-onset depressive symptoms in South Korea - a gender analysis. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2012;38:537–45.CrossRefPubMed Kim SS, Subramanian SV, Sorensen G, Perry MJ, Christiani DC. Association between change in employment status and new-onset depressive symptoms in South Korea - a gender analysis. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2012;38:537–45.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Kim HY, Choi J, Lim HM, Park C, Hong YC. The association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among Korean wage workers: the fifth Korean working condition survey. Ann Occup Environ Med. 2021;33:e9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kim HY, Choi J, Lim HM, Park C, Hong YC. The association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among Korean wage workers: the fifth Korean working condition survey. Ann Occup Environ Med. 2021;33:e9.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
go back to reference Topp CW, Østergaard SD, Søndergaard S, Bech P. The WHO-5 well-being index: a systematic review of the literature. Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84:167–76.CrossRefPubMed Topp CW, Østergaard SD, Søndergaard S, Bech P. The WHO-5 well-being index: a systematic review of the literature. Psychother Psychosom. 2015;84:167–76.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Holm-Hadulla RM, Klimov M, Juche T, Möltner A, Herpertz SC. Well-being and mental health of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychopathology. 2021;54:291–7.CrossRefPubMed Holm-Hadulla RM, Klimov M, Juche T, Möltner A, Herpertz SC. Well-being and mental health of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychopathology. 2021;54:291–7.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Bonsignore M, Barkow K, Jessen F, Heun R. Validity of the five-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5) in an elderly population. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;251;Suppl 2:II27-31.PubMed Bonsignore M, Barkow K, Jessen F, Heun R. Validity of the five-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5) in an elderly population. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;251;Suppl 2:II27-31.PubMed
24.
go back to reference Krieger T, Zimmermann J, Huffziger S, Ubl B, Diener C, Kuehner C, et al. Measuring depression with a well-being index: further evidence for the validity of the WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5) as a measure of the severity of depression. J Affect Disord. 2014;156:240–4.CrossRefPubMed Krieger T, Zimmermann J, Huffziger S, Ubl B, Diener C, Kuehner C, et al. Measuring depression with a well-being index: further evidence for the validity of the WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5) as a measure of the severity of depression. J Affect Disord. 2014;156:240–4.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference World Health Organization. Wellbeing measures in primary health care/the DepCare Project: report on a WHO meeting: Stockholm, Sweden. In: World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe; 1998:p. 39. World Health Organization. Wellbeing measures in primary health care/the DepCare Project: report on a WHO meeting: Stockholm, Sweden. In: World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe; 1998:p. 39.
26.
go back to reference Lee J, An J. A study on risk-exposure degree in working conditions: comparative analysis by employment type. Korea J Ind Relat. 2016;26:147–73. Lee J, An J. A study on risk-exposure degree in working conditions: comparative analysis by employment type. Korea J Ind Relat. 2016;26:147–73.
27.
go back to reference Lopez G, Kriebel D, Cifuentes M, Quinn M. Effects of precarious work on symptomatology of anxiety and depression in Chilean workers, a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:927.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Lopez G, Kriebel D, Cifuentes M, Quinn M. Effects of precarious work on symptomatology of anxiety and depression in Chilean workers, a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:927.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
go back to reference Canivet C, Bodin T, Emmelin M, Toivanen S, Moghaddassi M, Östergren PO. Precarious employment is a risk factor for poor mental health in young individuals in Sweden: a cohort study with multiple follow-ups. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:687.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Canivet C, Bodin T, Emmelin M, Toivanen S, Moghaddassi M, Östergren PO. Precarious employment is a risk factor for poor mental health in young individuals in Sweden: a cohort study with multiple follow-ups. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:687.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
go back to reference Kachi Y, Inoue M, Nishikitani M, Yano E. Differences in self-rated health by employment contract and household structure among Japanese employees: a nationwide cross-sectional study. J Occup Health. 2014;56:339–46.CrossRefPubMed Kachi Y, Inoue M, Nishikitani M, Yano E. Differences in self-rated health by employment contract and household structure among Japanese employees: a nationwide cross-sectional study. J Occup Health. 2014;56:339–46.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Virtanen M, Kivimaki M, Joensun M, Virtanen P, Elovainio M, Vahtera J. Temporary employment and health: a review. Int J Epidemiol. 2005;34:610–22.CrossRefPubMed Virtanen M, Kivimaki M, Joensun M, Virtanen P, Elovainio M, Vahtera J. Temporary employment and health: a review. Int J Epidemiol. 2005;34:610–22.CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Myhren H, Ekeberg O, Stokland O. Job satisfaction and burnout among intensive care unit nurses and physicians. Crit Care Res Pract. 2013;2013:786176.PubMedPubMedCentral Myhren H, Ekeberg O, Stokland O. Job satisfaction and burnout among intensive care unit nurses and physicians. Crit Care Res Pract. 2013;2013:786176.PubMedPubMedCentral
32.
go back to reference Çelik N, Ceylan B, Ünsal A, Çağan Ö. Depression in health college students: relationship factors and sleep quality. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24:625–30.CrossRefPubMed Çelik N, Ceylan B, Ünsal A, Çağan Ö. Depression in health college students: relationship factors and sleep quality. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24:625–30.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Association between depressive symptoms and employment type of Korean workers: the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey
Authors
Yun-Jung Yang
Jihye Lee
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17612-5

Other articles of this Issue 1/2024

BMC Public Health 1/2024 Go to the issue