Depressive symptoms and self-reported occupational injury in small and medium-sized companies

Abstract

Objectives This survey was designed to determine whether depressive symptoms had an eVect on the risk of self-reported occupational injury in South Korea. Methods We conducted a prospective follow-up survey of workers at 44 small-to medium-sized companies classiWed into manufacturing or service businesses; 1,350 questionnaires were used in the Wnal analysis. The Wrst survey requested information regarding personal characteristics, work characteristics, and depressive symptoms (CES-D); the second survey queried participants in the Wrst survey about self-reported occupational injuries (including minor scratches or cuts) experienced in the previous 4 months. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated through Poisson regression analysis. The number of occupational injuries during the previous 4 months served as the dependent variable, and depressive symptoms served as the independent variable. Results After adjustment for demographic factors, the RRs were 1.75 (95% CI: 1.41-2.18) and 2.68 (95% CI: 1.98-3.64) in male and female, respectively. Additional adjustment for work-related variables did not alter the RR considerably in females (2.65; 95% CI: 1.95-3.59). Among the male workers, however, the RR was not signiWcant (1.21; 95% CI: 0.95-1.55). On the other hand, when the analysis was limited to blue-collar workers, after adjustment for demographic and work-related factors, the RRs remained signiWcant in both genders (male: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.03-1.74; female: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.41-2.95). Conclusions We found that the risk of self-reported occupational injury experience was higher in workers who reported depressive symptoms. Additional study using objective data is required to conWrm our results.

Prevalence of serious psychological distress among slaughterhouse workers at a United States beef packing plant

“…We were unable to identify occupational factors that were significantly associated with SPD in our study, including recent occupational injury and work area. This observation is discordant with findings from studies of other occupational populations that observe a significant association between occupational injury and poor mental health [1,3,11,20,21]. However, our findings are consistent with a recent study by Lander and colleagues of a similar workforce in the US [22].…”

“…A growing body of literature documents the association between occupational injury and poor mental health [1][2][3][4]. Although animal slaughter and meatpacking workers in the United States experience among the highest rates of occupational injury of all industries, there have been few studies of mental health in this workforce [5].…”

Workplace Health Protection and Promotion

“…55 Several studies observed increased injury rates in employees reporting conflicts at work, either with coworkers or with supervisors, and a much higher incidence of self-reported injuries in those who had depressive symptoms. [56][57][58] Costs associated with these various workplace health/safety risks have also been well documented. A University of Michigan study showed that 85% of workers' compensation costs were attributed to worker health status tied to risk assessment.…”

An effectiveness evaluation of a multifaceted preventive intervention on occupational injuries in foundries: a 13-year follow-up study with interrupted time series analysis

“…Research appears in fact to be mainly addressed to describing epidemiological associations, documenting hazards or risk factors, reporting data a posteriori, and the role of OH professionals seems to be underplayed (Burdorf et al 1997;Chau et al 2004Chau et al , 2007Chau et al , 2008Kim et al 2009;McLeod et al 2003;Palmer et al 2008;Porru et al 2006;Rivara and Thompson 2000). Also, few examples of intervention studies (IS) and effectiveness evaluation of prevention programmes are available in the literature either for specific OI or sectors (Lipscomb 2000;Mancini et al 2005;Miller et al 2007;Rautiainen et al 2008;van der Molen et al 2007).…”