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http://dx.doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2021.29.2.136

Impact of COVID-19-Related Stress and Depression in Public Sector Workers  

Park, Jinsol (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Cho, Hye-mi (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Ko, Min-soo (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Chi, Su-hyuk (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Han, Changsu (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Yi, Hyun-suk (Gwangmyung City Health Center)
Lee, Moon-Soo (Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine / v.29, no.2, 2021 , pp. 136-143 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives : The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a global medical crisis imposing particular burden on public sector employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychiatric distress among public sector workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study with 531 public sector workers in Gwangmyung city who completed Korean versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean (IES-R-K). Results : The results revealed more than moderate levels of stress (85.2%), depressive symptoms (22.2%), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (38.8%). PSS total score was significantly correlated with PHQ-9, IES-R-K total scores as well as IES-R-K subscale scores. Total scores on the PSS, PHQ-9, and IES-R-K were all inversely correlated with age. Conclusions : COVID-19-related workers experience considerable stress and depressive symptoms, with self-rated stress correlating significantly with depression scores. Age may serve as a protective factor against occupational stress and burnout. These findings highlight the need for adequate psychiatric screening and intervention for public sector workers.
Keywords
COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Public sector; Stress; Depression; PSS; PHQ-9; IES-R-K;
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