Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2020 May;29(2):160-171. 10.5807/kjohn.2020.29.2.160.

The Impacts of Workplace Discrimination and Violence on Depressive Symptoms among Korean Employees

• Kim MS
• Choi E

• KMID: 2502464
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5807/kjohn.2020.29.2.160

Abstract

Purpose
This study explored the association between workplace discrimination and violence and depressive symptoms among Korean employees.
Methods
Data were obtained from the 4th Korean Working Condition Survey of 2014, which included 21,902 Korean employees. Depressive symptoms were measured using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index questionnaire scales.
Results
A statistically significant relationship between workplace discrimination and workplace violence was found, and these two variables were also associated with depressive symptoms. After adjusting for variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, physical risk, and psychosocial working environment, workplace discrimination (OR=1.22, p<.001) and workplace violence (OR=1.69, p<.001) were both significantly associated with depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
This study indicates that to promote employees’ psychological health, systems and programs to prevent workplace discrimination and violence are needed. Development of these systems and programs should consider employees’ experiences of workplace discrimination and workplace violence, sociodemographic characteristics, physical risk, and psychosocial working environments.

Keyword

Employee; Workplace; Violence; Depression