Major depressive episodes and work stress: Results from a national population survey

Objectives. 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. ConCIusions. 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.