The effect of organisational system on self-rated depression in a panel of male municipal firefighters.
10.1186/s40557-014-0044-x
- Author:
Se Jin AN
1
;
Yun Kyung CHUNG
;
Bong Hyun KIM
;
Kyeong Min KWAK
;
Jun Seok SON
;
Jung wan KOO
;
Young Su JU
;
Young Jun KWON
Author Information
1. Department of occupational and environmental medicine, Hallym university sacred heart hospital, Anyang City, Republic of Korea. yk.chungmd@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Depression;
Organisational system;
Municipality;
Firefighter;
Occupational stress
- MeSH:
Depression*;
Firefighters*;
Follow-Up Studies;
Healthy Worker Effect;
Humans;
Korea;
Male*;
Mental Health;
Odds Ratio;
Republic of Korea;
Risk Factors
- From:Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2015;27(1):1-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the effects of job stress, including organisational system to self-rated depression through a panel study of male municipal firefighters in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A panel of 186 municipal firefighters reported self-rated depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of job stress were evaluated using the Korea Occupational Stress Scale, taken one year earlier and classified by the median value. Panel members were classified into Depression or Control groups according to BDI scores, with a cut-off level of \'over mild depression' in a follow-up survey. RESULTS: The Depression group included 17 (9.1%) workers. Firefighters who scored high on occupational system had an 8.3 times greater risk of being assigned to the Depression group than those who had not (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.73-37.22]). In contrast, job stress from a \'difficult physical environment' revealed negative risks related to being classified in the Depression group (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.04-0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Although the healthy worker effect may be involved, job stress based on perceptions of organisational system was a strong risk factor for depression. A comprehensive approach should be considered that encompasses social issues when assessing or mental health in high-risk groups, as well as the practical issue of physiochemical hazards.
