Visible work, invisible risks: Psychosocial work environment factors and depressive symptoms among older workers

Purpose: Research on depressive symptoms among older workers is limited. This study aimed to explore the relationships between demographics, job characteristics, psychosocial work environment factors, and depressive symptoms in older workers, and to identify the factors that influence these symptoms.Methods: This secondary analysis used data from the 7th Korean Working Conditions Survey, focusing on 7,238 workers aged 55 years or older, after excluding missing values from an initial sample of 10,778 individuals. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index. Data analysis involved cross-tabulation, general linear modeling, and both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using complex sample designs.Results: Depression scores were categorized into depressed (n=2,490, weighted %=35.3%) and non-depressed (n=4,748, weighted %=64.7%) groups based on a cutoff score of less than 13, which indicates poor mental well-being. Complex-sample multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several significant factors influencing depressive symptoms, including education level (middle school odds ratio OR=1.56), perceived health status (fair OR=1.63, poor OR=2.95), reflection of opinions and taking breaks during work (OR=0.93 and OR=0.97, respectively), colleagues’ support (OR=0.85), job insecurity (OR=1.04), and satisfaction with the work environment (OR=1.47).Conclusion: Older workers, especially people with a middle school education or less, were more vulnerable to the risk of developing depression. To mitigate and prevent depressive symptoms, it is essential to implement individual-level strategies—such as health promotion and employee assistance programs, and counseling services—alongside organizational-level measures, including the expansion of job autonomy and supportive workplace policies for older workers.