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Association between psychosocial safety climate and depression risk among Korean workers
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Soo Kyung Cho, Seong-Sik Cho, Maureen F. Dollard, May Young Loh, Mo-Yeol Kang
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Epidemiol Health. 2025;47:e2025044. Published online August 13, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2025044
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 Abstract
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Psychosocial safety climate (PSC) reflects an organization’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ psychological health and safety. While international evidence links low PSC to poor mental health outcomes, its association with depression has not been well established in Korea. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PSC and depression among Korean workers, utilizing a large-scale, population-based survey.
METHODS We analyzed data from 5,337 wage employees who participated in the fifth wave of the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study. Depression was measured using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and PSC was assessed with a validated 4-item scale. Participants were classified into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups based on their PSC scores. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to estimate the association between PSC and depression, with stratified analyses performed according to gender, age, and occupational characteristics.
RESULTS The prevalence of depression increased as PSC scores decreased. Compared to the low-risk group, the intermediate-risk and high-risk PSC groups exhibited 1.19 times and 2.69 times higher risks of depression, respectively, suggesting a clear exposure-response relationship. Stratified analyses indicated that associations were stronger among individuals without union representation or access to occupational health and safety resources.
CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the critical role of PSC in workplace mental health. Promoting a high PSC may help reduce depression risk and support mental well-being among workers. Interventions considering vulnerable subgroups are warranted to create psychologically safer work environments in Korea.
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Summary
Korean summary
-본 연구에서는 한국 근로자에서 심리사회적 안전풍토(PSC) 점수가 낮을수록 우울 위험이 유의하게 높아짐을 확인하였다.
-PSC 중간위험군과 고위험군의 우울 위험은 저위험군에 비해 각각 1.19배, 2.69배 높았다.
-연구 결과는 근로자의 정신건강 증진과 국가적 정책 수립을 위해 직장에서의 PSC 강화를 강조한다.
Key Message
-This study demonstrates that lower psychosocial safety climate (PSC) scores are associated with a significantly higher risk of depression among Korean workers.
-The risk of depression was 1.19 times higher in the intermediate-risk PSC group and 2.69 times higher in the high-risk PSC group compared with the low-risk group.
-Findings highlight the importance of strengthening PSC in workplaces to improve employee mental health and guide national policies.
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