Work

Investigating the Impact of Prolonged Exposure to Low Psychosocial Safety Climate on Serious Depressive Symptoms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Previous research has shown that the organization’s psychosocial safety climate (PSC) is crucial for protecting workers' psychological well-being. In this study we sought to understand how different exposure (prolonged [long-term] vs. short-term) to low levels of PSC affects new future depressive symptoms. Three waves of data from 1160 full-time workers were used to analyse the effect of prolonged exposure to low PSC over two to three years on depressive symptoms and the emergence of new depressive symptoms, after excluding depressed cases at baseline. Additionally, we tested the effects of short-term low PSC exposure. Data were analysed using SPSS and binomial logistic regression. Results showed that prolonged low PSC increased the risk of developing new depressive symptoms four-fold in the next three to four years (OR = 4.02, p < .001). Short-term low PSC exposure tripled the risk of newly developed depression (OR = 3.03, p < .001). Future research should consider prolonged effects of exposure to a low PSC. To prevent future depressive symptoms, it is important to build and improve PSC in the organisations, to prevent the accumulative deleterious effects on workers’ psychological health.

Source: Safety and Health at Work

DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2025.10.005

Authors: Ali Afsharian, May Young Loh, Maureen Frances Dollard

Institution: University of South Australia

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Health and Well-being

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,750