Web Based Screening for Depression in the Workplace

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine an effective screening method of depressive disorders in the workplace.

Methodology: Employees with a managerial career track of a large size company completed a web-based psychological assessment using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) at the first screening. After three months, employees who had a PHQ-9 score of 10 or greater were further re-assessed using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 at the second screening. They were then interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to determine a clinical diagnosis of depressive disorders. Moreover, analysis of the validity of the PHQ-9 categorical algorithm and the cut-off score of PHQ-9 ≥ 10 were conducted.

Results: Of the 402 participants, 350 employees completed the depression and anxiety scales. Though 20 subjects had a score of10 points or more on the PHQ-9 score at the first screening, and nine of them maintained a score of 10 points or more at the second screening. While nine subjects were diagnosed with a major depressive syndrome by the PHQ-9 categorical algorithm at the first screening, only three of them remained with a major depressive syndrome at the second screening.

Conclusion: Considering the spontaneous remission rate of depression, it seems reasonable to conduct double web-based screening for major depressive disorders in the workplace.