Effects of stress, depression, and problem drinking on suicidal ideation among Korean workers

Abstract

The mental health of workers is an important issue that affects not only individuals and their families but also workplaces and communities. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly evaluate and analyze workers’ mental health status, including levels of stress, depression, and addictive behaviors to apply these findings in creating mental health promotion programs. This study aims to provide basic data that would facilitate early intervention for workers’ mental health problems by analyzing factors such as stress, depression, and problem drinking that can affect suicidal ideation. From April 15 to October 25, 2019, a survey was conducted with 165 workers across six workplaces in a Korean city. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and simple and multiple regression analyses using the R statistics program 4.0.3. There was no difference in suicidal ideation scores based on the participants’ general characteristics, while there was a significant positive correlation among stress, depression, problem drinking, and suicidal ideation. In addition, severe depression, severe stress, and severe problem drinking had significant effects on suicidal ideation, and among the subitems of stress, somatic symptoms had an effect on suicidal ideation. In addition, severe stress, somatic symptoms, depression, and severe problem drinking had a significant effect on suicidal ideation in males but not in females. It is necessary to identify the effects of stress, depression, drinking problems, and suicide on workers’ mental health, and evaluate their mental health systematically and regularly to recognize whether active psychiatric treatment and nursing intervention are necessary as well as preventive management. In addition, it is meaningful to pay attention to the suicide ideation of adult workers and provide basic data to promote systematic public health policies on mental health.