Occupational Differences in Associations Between Korean Occupational Stress Scale Subscales and Depression: A...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry
• Psychosocial Epidemiology

Background:

• Occupational stress is a key factor in worker depression.
• The Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) assesses workplace stressors but its link to depression across occupations needs evaluation.
• This review systematically examines KOSS subscale associations with depression, considering occupational variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the associations between Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) subscales and depression.
• To identify occupational differences in the relationship between KOSS subscales and depression.

Main Methods:

• Searched PubMed and KoreaMed databases up to March 2024.
• Included nine studies, assessed quality using Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
• Conducted random-effect meta-analyses and qualitative synthesis of occupational group-specific patterns.

Main Results:

• Most KOSS subscales, except the physical environment, were significantly associated with depression, showing high heterogeneity.
• Qualitative synthesis revealed that significant subscale associations varied by occupational group, KOSS version, and analytical method.
• This indicates variability in how KOSS subscales relate to depression across different work settings.

Conclusions:

• While KOSS subscales like insufficient job control link to depression, their impact varies by occupation and context.
• The KOSS may not fully capture critical psychosocial stressors for all occupational groups.
• Future KOSS revisions should include occupation-specific items and clearer interpretation guidelines for better mental health research and practice.