Impact of COVID-19-Related Stress and Depression in Public Sector Workers
10.22722/KJPM.2021.29.2.136
- Author:
Jinsol PARK
1
;
Hye-mi CHO
;
Min-soo KO
;
Su-hyuk CHI
;
Changsu HAN
;
Hyun-suk YI
;
Moon-Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
2021;29(2):136-143
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:：The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global medical crisis imposing particular burden on public sector employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychiatric distress among public sector workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:：We conducted a cross-sectional study with 531 public sector workers in Gwangmyung city who completed Korean versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean (IES-R-K).
Results:：The results revealed more than moderate levels of stress (85.2%), depressive symptoms (22.2%), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (38.8%). PSS total score was significantly correlated with PHQ-9, IES-R-K total scores as well as IES-R-K subscale scores. Total scores on the PSS, PHQ-9, and IES-R-K were all inversely correlated with age.
Conclusions:：COVID-19-related workers experience considerable stress and depressive symptoms, with self-rated stress correlating significantly with depression scores. Age may serve as a protective factor against oc-cupational stress and burnout. These findings highlight the need for adequate psychiatric screening and interven-tion for public sector workers.
