[Which Working Conditions Promote the Development of Depressive Disorders?]

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological and neurobiological research suggests an association between stress and the development of depression. In this context, the question arises whether certain working conditions do act as depressogenic stressors.

Method: We systematically reviewed cross-sectional and prospective studies (published since 2005) investigating the association between working conditions and the occurrence of depression. Moreover, meta-analyses on reported effect sizes were calculated.

Results: Our meta-analyses confirmed a depressogenic effect of high job demands and the combination of high demands and low job control ("Job Strain"). We did not find an effect of low job control alone. The impact of these working conditions is modulated by contextual factors like occupational grade or cognitive coping strategies.

Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest an extended model of working conditions, coping capacities, and their relation to the development of depression. This can be utilized for strategies of occupational prevention and individual therapy.