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Association Between Occupational Stress and Mental Health in an Automobile Manufacturing Factory in Iran Publisher



Karimi L1 ; Sharifian SA2 ; Aminian O1 ; Rasooli SR3 ; Zia G3 ; Eftekhari S2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Center for Research on Occupational Diseases (CROD), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Occupational Medicine Department, Medical Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Occupational Health and Safety (OH & S) Department, SAIPA Group, Tehran, Iran

Source: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health Published:2025


Abstract

Introduction: To improve productivity and enhance employees' physical and mental well-being, it is essential to identify and mitigate work-specific stressors due to their direct impact on efficiency. This study aimed to assess the relationship between occupational stress and the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among the employees of an automobile manufacturing factory in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2021 in an automobile manufacturing factory located in Tehran, Iran. The study utilized simple random sampling to select a population of 4,565 participants. Data were collected using the OSIPOW Occupational Stress Inventory and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) questionnaires. The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16, applying both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: All participants experienced some level of job stress, with 65.5% in the low-stress group and 34.5% in the high-stress group. White-collar workers had higher job stress than blue-collar workers. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 22.6%, 24%, and 29.3%, respectively. The participants with high job stress reported higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress [OR=2.35, CI 95% (1.88-2.92)], [OR=1.41, CI 95% (1.12-1.83)], [OR=1.38, CI 95% (1.19-1.76)]. Linear regression analysis identified that being a white-collar worker, having more work experience, exposure to workplace noise and stressors, and exhibiting symptoms of depression are factors that may contribute to occupational stress. Conclusion: This study highlights the detrimental effects of psychosocial hazards in the work environment on workers' mental health, evidenced by increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It underscores the need to manage occupational stress to preserve both the general and mental health of employees. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.