Workplace stress identified as top predictor of depression in Korean employees

Workplace stress is the most significant contributor to depression among Korean employees, outweighing financial strain, health concerns, and even major life events, according to a large-scale study published in Frontiers in Public Health in December last year.

The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted workplace mental health interventions as depression continues to take a toll on productivity and employee well-being.

Researchers at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, analyzed data from 12,541 employees who underwent mental health check-ups between April 2020 and November 2022. Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), they assessed the impact of seven major stressors—workplace issues, family relationships, interpersonal conflicts, health problems, financial difficulties, traumatic events, and daily monotony—on depressive symptoms.

Among these, workplace stress had the strongest association with depression (β = 0.411, p < 0.001), followed by monotony (β = 0.191, p < 0.001) and family relationships (β = 0.120, p < 0.001). Financial difficulties and traumatic events had the weakest effects. The study also found that women reported higher overall depression scores than men, and extended working hours exacerbated depressive symptoms.

While workplace stress ranked as the top predictor of depression across all employees, the effects of other stressors varied by demographic factors. Among men, financial strain was a stronger predictor of depression than health concerns, while in women, health problems had a more significant impact.

Age also played a role in how stressors influenced depression. For employees under 30, interpersonal conflicts were a greater predictor of depressive symptoms than family issues. In their 30s, financial strain and traumatic events had a stronger effect, while in their 40s, health problems became a more dominant predictor. Among employees over 50, financial concerns, interpersonal conflicts, and traumatic events were not significant predictors, suggesting that different stressors take precedence at various life stages.

The study further revealed that employees working more than 52 hours per week were particularly vulnerable to depression, with traumatic events having a more pronounced effect than interpersonal conflicts and health problems. Researchers suggest that extended work hours may lower resilience, reducing employees’ ability to cope with stress.

Income level also influenced depression risk. Among low-income employees, health problems were a stronger predictor of depression than interpersonal conflicts, likely due to financial barriers to medical care. In contrast, high-income employees were more affected by financial strain and health issues, possibly reflecting greater concerns over economic stability and work-related stress.

“Employees spend most of their waking hours at work, dealing with performance pressure, job insecurity, and interpersonal tensions,” said Professor Cho Sung-joon, lead author of the study and a psychiatrist at the Workplace Mental Health Institute of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. “Our findings highlight the importance of addressing workplace stress as a key strategy in preventing and managing depression.”

The results suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to stress management is inadequate. Instead, targeted interventions should be developed based on demographic factors. For younger employees, workplace programs focusing on conflict resolution and social support may be beneficial, while financial counseling and health management programs could be more effective for older workers.

The study builds on existing research that links stress to depression but goes further by considering multiple stressors simultaneously. "Most studies focus on isolated factors, but in reality, stressors don’t exist in a vacuum," said Professor Jeon Sang-won, co-author and psychiatrist at the Workplace Mental Health Institute of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. "This comprehensive approach provides a clearer understanding of how different stressors interact and affect mental health."