Ann Occup Environ Med.  2015 ;27(1):1. 10.1186/s40557-014-0044-x.

The effect of organisational system on self-rated depression in a panel of male municipal firefighters

• An SJ
• Chung YK
• Kim BH
• Kwak KM
• Son JS
• Koo JW
• Ju YS
• Kwon YJ

• KMID: 2370847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0044-x

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.

Keyword

Depression; Organisational system; Municipality; Firefighter; Occupational stress

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Firefighters*
Follow-Up Studies
Healthy Worker Effect
Humans
Korea
Male*
Mental Health
Odds Ratio
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors