title: Major depressive episodes and work stress: results from a national population survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined the proportion of workers meeting criteria for major depressive episodes in the past year and examined the association between psychosocial work-stress variables and these episodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2, a population-based survey of 24324 employed, community-dwelling individuals conducted in 2002. We assessed depressive episodes using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the original sample, 4.6% (weighted n=745948) met criteria for major depressive episodes. High job strain was significantly associated with depression among men (odds ratio [OR]=2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29, 4.37), and lack of social support at work was significantly associated with depression in both genders (men, OR=2.70; 95% CI=1.55, 4.71; women, OR=2.37; 95% CI=1.71, 3.29). Women with low levels of decision authority were more likely to have depression (OR=1.59; 95% CI=1.06, 2.39) than were women with high levels of authority.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of the workforce experienced major depressive episodes in the year preceding our study. Gender differences appear to affect work-stress factors that increase risk for depression. Prevention strategies need to be developed with employers and employee organizations to address work organization and to increase social support.
authors: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14462-8409, USA. emma_robertsonblackmore@urmc.rochester.edu
authors: Emma Robertson
authors: ER
authors: Blackmore
authors: Stephen A
authors: SA
authors: Stansfeld
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Weller
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Munce
authors: Brandon M
authors: BM
authors: Zagorski
authors: Donna E
authors: DE
authors: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace