The association between loss of work ability and depression: a focus on employment status.
OBJECTIVE
Work-related factors are one of the known risk factors for depression. Given that the ability to work is considered an important aspect of well-being and health status, we investigated the association between the loss of work ability and depression. We further examined the association stratified by employment status.


METHODS
We used data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study. The dependent variable of the present study was depression, which is measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Work ability transition from the previous year was divided into three categories: maintained, loss, and complete loss. A linear mixed-effects model was performed for the analysis.


RESULTS
The work ability loss group (β = 2.071, p < 0.0002) and the work ability completely loss group (β = 2.651, p = 0.015) had higher depression scores compared to those who maintained their work ability from the previous year. Specifically, those who lost their work ability and their job (β = 3.685, p = 0.0068) had the highest depression scores compared to those who maintained their work ability and job.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that those who lost their ability to work may be at risk of depression, and this finding was particularly prominent among those who also became unemployed. Therefore, psychological support is needed for these individuals to overcome the negative influence of the loss of work ability.
Department of Public Health, Graduate School Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sang Ah
SA
Lee
Department of Public Health, Graduate School Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yeong Jun
YJ
Ju
Department of Public Health, Graduate School Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kyu-Tae
KT
Han
Department of Public Health, Graduate School Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jae Woo
JW
Choi
Department of Public Health, Graduate School Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyo Jung
HJ
Yoon
Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. ecpark@yuhs.ac.|Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea. ecpark@yuhs.ac.
Eun-Cheol
EC
Park
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult
Depression; Mental health; Unemployment; Work ability