Unanimous Across All Ages and Genders... The Number One Cause of Depression Among Office Workers Is This

Citizens commuting to work are crossing the crosswalk at Gwanghwamun Intersection in Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

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A study found that the biggest factor affecting the occurrence of depression among office workers, regardless of gender and age, is 'workplace stress.'

On the 26th, a research team led by Professors Jeon Sang-won and Cho Sung-joon from the Department of Psychiatry at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital announced the results of an analysis of 12,541 office workers aged 19 to 65 who underwent mental health screenings at the hospital's Corporate Mental Health Research Institute from April 2020 to November 2022. The team compared the impact of seven major daily stress factors?workplace issues, family relationships, interpersonal relationships, health problems, financial problems, traumatic events, and ennui?on the occurrence of depression.

The results showed that workplace issues had the greatest impact on the onset of depression. This was followed by ennui, family relationships, interpersonal relationships, health problems, financial problems, and traumatic events. When analyzed by gender, both men and women ranked workplace issues, ennui, family relationships, and interpersonal relationships as the top four factors.

The impact of seven major daily stress factors on the occurrence of depressive symptoms by gender. Provided by Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

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Across all age groups, workplace issues and ennui ranked first and second. However, when comparing by age, interpersonal relationships had a significant impact on those under 30, financial problems on those in their 30s, and health problems and financial problems on those in their 40s.

The research team concluded that since office workers spend most of their day at work, workplace stress likely became the biggest factor in depression. Professor Jeon Sang-won explained, "It is well known that stress is related to depression, but most studies have considered only specific factors. The significance of this study lies in the comprehensive consideration of multiple stress factors coexisting in daily life." The study was published in the international public health journal, Frontiers in Public Health.

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