[Young journalist Hayoon Cho] A study has found that workers with depressive symptoms are more likely to miss work or experience ‘presenteeism’, a significant decline in productivity while at work, than those without such symptoms. The health factors affecting work loss also differed clearly by age group.

A joint research team led by Professor Young-Ho Yun of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital and Professor Juyoun Jung of the Division of Tourism and Wellness at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies announced on October 27 the results of a multivariable comparative analysis involving 1,000 Korean workers aged 20 to 49 in January 2024 (489 under 35 and 511 aged 35 or older). The team examined how depression and physical, mental, social, and spiritual health indicators were associated with absenteeism and reduced work efficiency. The paper was published in the latest issue of the ‘Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM)’, an international journal in the field of occupational and environmental medicine.

In both age groups, depressive symptoms (a PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher) were the strongest factor linked to a higher risk of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work loss.

The researchers analyzed the ‘adjusted odds ratio (a measure comparing the odds of an event occurring rather than not occurring across groups)’, which shows the relative effect of a factor after controlling for conditions such as sex, education, and income. Among workers under 35, those with depressive symptoms had 5.42 times the odds of absenteeism, 2.13 times the odds of presenteeism, and 2.43 times the odds of overall work loss. Among workers aged 35 or older with depressive symptoms, the corresponding odds were 2.89 times for absenteeism, 4.78 times for presenteeism, and 4.84 times for overall work loss, suggesting different patterns of work loss across the age groups.

The health factors associated with less work loss also differed between age groups. Among workers under 35, good physical and social health was associated with about half the odds of overall work loss, with an odds ratio of 0.50. Among those aged 35 or older, good mental health was associated with an odds ratio of 0.32 (approximately one-third) for presenteeism and overall work loss, while good spiritual health, including finding meaning in life, was associated with lower odds of absenteeism, with an odds ratio of 0.41. Depressive symptoms were also more common among workers under 35 (33.1%) than among those aged 35 or older (27.0%). The proportion of work time lost to health problems was twice as high among workers under 35 (6.8%) as among those aged 35 or older (3.3%).

Since depressive symptoms were linked to work loss in both groups, the researchers recommended depression screening, early intervention, and efforts to reduce mental health stigma at work for all ages, along with age-specific programs. As more Korean companies recognize that employees’ mental health is closely linked to organizational productivity, a growing number of workplaces are introducing EAPs (employee assistance programs) and mental health care systems.

Professor Jung said, “Because the health factors that contribute to or prevent work loss differ by age group, it is urgent to move beyond uniform support and establish age-specific wellness programs.”

Professor Yun, director of the Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, said, “Depression is the factor most clearly associated with reduced workplace productivity,” adding, “We need to change how we view health, seeing it not merely as an individual issue or an employee benefit, but as an area where investing in employees’ health can improve productivity and competitiveness.”

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