Take Home Messages:

Depression is caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, as well as a person’s vulnerability.

Vulnerability is determined by personality, temperament, past experiences and upbringing. It affects the way people respond to stressful situations. Stressful situations are important triggers for episodes of depression.

The workplace is an important environmental factor as it is typically stressful.

Depression in the workplace will typically manifest through reduced productivity, personality change, social withdrawal and increased conflict.

Organisations can take action to reduce the impact of depression through education and improved return to work practices.

Why the research matters: 

One in ten people in the workplace will experience a depressive illness each year. It causes distress and reduces productivity.

There are many known factors that contribute to depressive illnesses. However the actual causes of depression are poorly understood.

Factors that increase the likelihood of depression include a genetic predisposition, social upheaval such as divorce and female gender.

Research on the effects of the work environment on depression is limited.

Better understanding the effects of the work environment on symptoms of depression may provide some guidelines for improving workplace management of depression.

What the research involved:

The authors have searched literature relevant to causes of depression, as well as researching the work environment and factors that aggravate or alleviate symptoms.

Their aim has been to describe some of the causes of depression and the way they relate to the workplace so that management of depression can be improved.

Summary of research findings:

The majority of cases of depression are caused by an interplay between a person’s genes and their environment.

Brain chemistry is disrupted in depression. People should be aware that depression is a medical illness and not a personal weakness.

A small number of cases of depression are caused by:

• Brain injuries, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease;
• Hormone problems, such as disorders of the thyroid problems (a gland in the neck);
• Medication side effects, such as seen in long term steroid use; and
• Drug and alcohol abuse.

Genetic factors make the development of depression more likely. If an identical twin develops depression, then there is a high likelihood that the other twin will do the same – but there is no single ‘depression gene’.

Genetic factors and environmental factors act together to cause depression.

Environmental factors are typically stressful situations (called a stressor). People perceive and interpret stressful events differently.

Factors that determine how we react to stress include:

• Past experiences;
• Upbringing;
• Personality;
• Temperament;
• Parental neglect; and
• Abuse (sexual and physical).

The effect of a stressful event is determined by a person’s vulnerability and the severity of the stressor.

Specific risk factors for women include having several young children at home, being a young mother and having poor social supports. Unmarried men are more likely to become depressed than married men.

Depression in the workplace will often result in:

• Preoccupation with unexplained aches and pains;
• Less cooperative behaviour;
• Social withdrawal and isolation;
• Reduced productivity;
• Increased occupational injuries;
• Drug and alcohol abuse; and
• Colleagues trying to protect the affected worker, which can prevent recognition of the depression.

High psychological demands at work are linked with increased rates of depression. These include:

• Having to work fast/hard;
• Time constraints;
• Excessive work;
• Conflicting demands; and
• Poor job control.

Organisations can take action to reduce the impact of depression. Education is important to aid in the recognition and management of depression. Strong social supports offer mental health benefits, but methods of improving social support are not well established.

Return to work policies should have well defined work tasks, objectives and report-back systems. Modification of duties may be necessary. 

Original research:

Etiology of Depression and Implications on Work Environment

Langlieb AM, DePaulo JR Jr.

J Occup Environ Med. 2008 Apr;50(4):391-5.

Link to PubMed abstract