OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of occupational stress and related factors on depression symptoms in train drives.

METHODSIn March 2012, by using cluster sampling method, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 1 402 train drivers in China. Questionnaires was investigation was conducted by face to face interview. Sample with missing variables on demographic characteristics questionnaire with missed survey variables, and occupational stress related factors and with over 3 item missing in depression symptoms self-rating scale were exclued. Depression symptoms were measured by Center for Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale. The occupational stress related actors were measured by the revised effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model questionnaires and occupational stress measurement scale. Chi-square test was carried out to analyze the differences of the incidence of depressive symptoms among different general characteristics groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the influence of occupational stress and related factors on depression symptoms in train drivers.

RESULTSThe study showed that the average age of 1 402 subjects was (34.95±9.20) years, the length of service were (13.28±9.78) years, the score of depressive symptoms was (24.14±5.98) scores. 902 subjects (64.3%,902/1 402) were classified as people with depressive symptoms, the incidence of depressive symptoms in EMU or high-speed train drivers were the highest (68.0%,51/75); Incidence of depressive symptoms showed that were statistically significant differences in two groups of technical secondary school and college, and incidence of depressive symptoms in the junior college and above group (68.1%,352/517) was higher than that in the senior high school and below group (62.1%, 550/885) (χ(2)=5.02, P=0.025). The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that high levels of education (OR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.12-2.19), role conflict (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.21-2.24), role ambiguity (OR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.45-2.73), negative emotion(OR=2.87, 95%CI: 2.15-3.82), daily tension(OR=2.86, 95%CI: 2.11-3.86), poor colleagues and family support (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.11-2.16 and OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.27-2.41) were risk factors of depressive symptoms, but positive emotion (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.96), self-esteem (OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.16-0.30), and job itself satisfaction (OR=0.48, 95%CI: 0.35-0.65) were protective factors of depressive symptoms in train drivers.

CONCLUSIONTrain drivers, in particular EMU or high-speed train drivers who were prone to depressive symptoms. To arrange reasonably job roles and tasks, increase support from superiors, colleagues, and family, bring up healthy and coordinated personality, keep a good mood, promote job satisfaction, reduce the daily tension have positive effects on reducing the occurrence of depressive symptoms for train drivers.