Perceived Stress and Self-esteem Mediate the Effects of Work-related Stress on Depression

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of perceived stress and self‐esteem on work‐related stress and depression. Two hundred and eighty‐four Korean nurses participated in the study. The participants completed four questionnaires, including the Korean short version of the occupational stress scale, the perceived stress scale, the Rosenberg self‐esteem scale and the Beck depression inventory. Structural equation modelling was used to determine the relationships among work‐related stress, perceived stress, self‐esteem, and depression. Work‐related stress was positively associated with depression. Perceived stress was inversely related to self‐esteem and positively associated with work‐related stress and depression, respectively. Self‐esteem was negatively associated with work‐related stress and depression. Structural equation modelling revealed that self‐esteem and perceived stress fully mediate the relationship between work‐related stress and depression. Future studies should further investigate the effect of psychological characteristics on work‐related stress and symptoms of depression. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.