Influence of occupational stress and coping styles on depressive symptoms in 2,083 manufacturing workers of China

Abstract

Background This study aims to investigate the influence of occupational stress and coping styles on depressive symptoms in manufacturing workers of China. Methods A total of 2,083 workers from two manufacturing enterprises in Beijing City and four manufacturing enterprises in Guangdong Province were selected as study subjects using judgment sampling method. The occupational stress, coping styles, and depression symptoms were accessed using the Core Occupational Stress Measurement Scale, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale. Results A total of 2,311 questionnaires were distributed, and 2,083 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 90.1%. The average scores of occupational stress, positive coping style, negative coping style and depressive symptoms among the study subjects were 45.0, 32.0, 23.0 and 6.0, respectively. The detection rates of occupational stress and depressive symptoms were 29.5% (615/2,083) and 15.7% (327/2,083). Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with occupational stress and negative coping style (rS were 0.351 and 0.540, respectively, and both P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with positive coping style (rS was − 0.208, P < 0.001). Occupational stress was positively correlated with negative coping style (rS was 0.296, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with positive coping style (rS was − 0.246, P < 0.001). The four dimensions of occupational stress explained 15.9% of variation in depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). The inclusion of the two dimensions of coping styles on the above basis could explain 19.3% of the variation in depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the four dimensions of occupational stress had a statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusions Occupational stress could directly affect the occurrence of depressive symptoms in manufacturing workers of China. Coping styles moderated the effect of occupational stress on depressive symptoms. Positive coping style could help alleviate the adverse effects of occupational stress and reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.