Korean J Psychosom Med.  2021 Dec;29(2):136-143. 10.22722/KJPM.2021.29.2.136.

Impact of COVID-19-Related Stress and Depression in Public Sector Workers

• Park J
• Cho Hm
• Ko Ms
• Chi Sh
• Han C
• Yi Hs
• Lee MS

• KMID: 2524474
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2021.29.2.136

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.

Keyword

COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Public sector; Stress; Depression