Job dissatisfaction as a risk factor of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among female workers: evidence from a nationwide longitudinal study in South Korea

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between job dissatisfaction (JD) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among female workers. Additionally, it examined how the cumulative exposure to JD over multiple years can exacerbate the effect. We conducted our analyses on a nationwide sample of 6111 female workers from the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Family (Waves 5–7). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. JD was classified into quartiles (Q1–Q4), and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using generalised estimating equations. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among study participants was 13.9% and 2.4%, respectively. Our findings revealed that female workers with the highest level of JD (Q4) had a significantly greater risk of depressive symptoms (OR [95% CI]: 1.61 [1.37–1.89]) and suicidal ideation (OR [95% CI]: 2.08 [1.37–3.17]) after 2-year follow-up compared to those with the lowest level of JD (Q1). Consecutive exposure to JD over multiple years was also associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation after a 2-year follow-up. For instance, women exposed to JD for three consecutive waves exhibited a high risk of depressive symptoms (OR [95% CI]: 1.61 [1.33–1.95]) and suicidal ideation (OR [95% CI]: 1.67 [1.04–2.70]). JD was positively associated with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Our study suggests that JD is a risk factor for mental health problems in female workers.