The Association between Psychosocial Work Environment and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Teachers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the association between psychosocial work environment and depressive symptoms among Korean teachers. METHODS: Data on 235 elementary school teachers and 341 middle and high school teachers was obtained from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey. The effect of psychosocial work environment on depressive symptoms was determined by multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 18 % in elementary school teachers and 24 % in middle and high school teachers. When adjusted for demographics and other socio-psychological and environmental factors, ‘social community at work’ served as a protection factor for Korean teachers' depressive symptoms. In addition, ‘cognitive demands’ in elementary school teachers and ‘social support from supervisors’ in middle and high school teachers were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Interventions to increase ‘social community at work’ and ‘social support from supervisors’, and to decrease ‘cognitive demands’ may be helpful for Korean teachers at risk of depression.