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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
07:57
A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
21.2K
Depression and loneliness may predict work inefficiency among professionally active adults
Łukasz Mokros1, Piotr Świtaj2, Przemysław Bieńkowski3
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 91-153, Lodz, Poland. lukasz.mokros@umed.lodz.pl.
Summary
Depression and loneliness significantly impact work inefficiency in adults. While both contribute, depression was more strongly linked to thoughts of job changes after controlling for other factors.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Depression and loneliness are significant public health concerns.
- Research is needed on their impact on working-age adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if depression and loneliness independently predict work inefficiency in professionally active adults.
- To assess the distinct roles of depression and loneliness in occupational functioning.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of a nationwide sample of 1795 professionally active adults in Poland.
- Utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression and author-devised questions for loneliness and work inefficiency.
- Employed regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic, health, and work-related factors.
Main Results:
- Unadjusted models showed both depression and loneliness independently predicted work inefficiency and absence, with loneliness having a larger effect.
- After adjustments, depression (PHQ-9 score) predicted increased thoughts of job change, but loneliness did not.
- Depression and loneliness differentially affected various aspects of occupational functioning.
Conclusions:
- Depression and loneliness are independent predictors of occupational functioning in working adults.
- Addressing depression and loneliness in employees is a public health priority.
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