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The role of supervisor support in the association between night work and depressive symptoms: a gender-stratified analysis of 22,422 full-time wage workers in Korea
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Hee Won Kim, Ji-Hwan Kim, Garin Lee, Hye-Lin Lee, Hayoung Lee, Seung-Sup Kim
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Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024079. Published online September 25, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024079
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 Abstract
Summary
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences.
METHODS A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items.
RESULTS Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.36) and 6-
10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5 days, 6-10 days, and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support.
CONCLUSIONS Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.
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Summary
Korean summary
야간 노동을 하는 사람들의 숫자가 급격히 늘어나고 있다. 이들이 겪는 여러 정신건강의 어려움이 사회적으로 문제가 되고 있지만, 그와 관련해 상사의 사회적 지지가 어떠한 영향을 주고 또 그 영향이 성별에 따라 어떻게 다른 지 충분히 연구된 바 없다. 한국의 6 차 근로환경조사를 분석한 결과, 한달에 1-10 일 야간 노동을 하는 사람들에게서 우울증상이 높게 나타났다. 성별 층화 분석했을 때, 한달에 6-15 일 야간 근무를 하는 여성이 상사의 사회적 지지를 받지 못할 경우 우울 증상이 특히 두드러지는 것으로 나타났습니다. 이번 연구는 야간 노동이 정신 건강에 미치는 부정적 영향을 확인하고, 직장에서의 사회적 지지와 건강한 조직 문화를 조성할 필요성을 보여준다.
Key Message
Night workers play a crucial role in society yet face unique mental health challenges. While a growing body of research have focused on their health problems, the role of supervisor support remains unexplored. Using a nationally representative dataset of workers in Korea, we found that night work was associated with depressive symptoms, especially for those working 1- 10 nights monthly and for females conducting 6-15 days of night work. Strong supervisor support may modify these effects. Our findings underscore the need for organizations to acknowledge the adverse mental health consequences of night work and to foster a supportive workplace culture.
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