The Relationship Between Work-Related Stress and Depression: A Scoping Review
Jean-Baptist du Prel1, Adrijana Koscec Bjelajac2, Zrinka Franić2
1Department of Occupational Health Science, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.
Public Health Reviews
|May 16, 2024
Summary
Work-related stress is consistently linked to depression. This review highlights the need for more research, especially interventional studies, to address existing knowledge gaps in understanding this association.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Work-related stress is a widespread issue with established links to depression.
- Previous reviews confirm a significant association between stress measures and depressive symptoms.
- Understanding the nuances of this relationship requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the general association between work-related psychosocial stress and depression.
- To assess the scope and methodologies of existing research on this topic.
- To identify inconsistencies and knowledge gaps in the literature.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
- Literature searches were performed in major databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science).
- PRISMA statement criteria were applied to studies published between 1999 and 2022.
Main Results:
- 125 studies were included, with most reporting significant associations between work-related stress and depression.
- Cross-sectional studies dominate the research landscape.
- Job strain and effort-reward imbalance show sufficient evidence of association; research is concentrated in Asia, North America, and Europe, with the health sector being most studied.
Conclusions:
- A remarkable consistency exists in findings linking work-related stress and depression.
- Further research is crucial to strengthen the evidence base.
- Addressing identified research gaps, such as the scarcity of interventional studies, is recommended.
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