Association between emotional labor and depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, attempts in South Korea: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2009

Background Emotional labor is defined as managing emotions to show expected facial and bodily display at work. Changing industrial structure with growth service sector, emotional labor has been emerged as a work-related health hazard.

Methods We analyzed a cross-sectional survey, 4^th wave of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2009), to examine the association between emotional labor and depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt among 8,968 workers in South Korea. Emotional labor was assessed using a survey item: “I have to hide my true emotions at work.” And people could answer yes or no. Depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt was measured by three questions: During the past 12 months, have you ever (1) felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing your usual activities? (2) thought of committing suicide? (3) attempted suicide?

Results Emotional labor was associated with depressive symptoms (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.53-1.98), suicidal ideation (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.59-2.06) and suicidal attempt (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.46-3.83), after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, work-related, and health-related confounders.

Conclusion Emotional labor may increase risk of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt in South Korea.