To investigate the relationship between job stress and depressive symptoms among field firefighters.

We carried out a survey of 17,457 field firefighters using the KOSS-24 (Korean Occupational Stress Scales-24) and CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale).

The mean CES-D score was 12.2±9.6 and 19.2% of subjects had depressive symptoms. Job insecurity (OR=2.70, 95% CI=2.45~2.98) and lack of reward (OR=2.41, 95% CI=2.18~2.65), occupational climate (OR=2.38, 95% CI=2.15~2.63) were strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Job demand (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.69~2.10), insufficient job control (OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.03~1.25), interpersonal conflict (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.87~2.26) and organizational system (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.66~2.02) were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Alcohol dependence had a stronger association than with normal subjects (OR=2.39, 95% CI=2.07~2.77).

In field firefighters, job stress factors and alcohol dependence were associated with depressive symptoms. An intervention to reduce job stress and alcohol among field firefighters is needed to reduce depression in this population.