Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science

Korean society of Biological Nursing Science (한국기초간호학회)
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Effects of emotional labor and sleep quality on depression in older apartment security workers in Korea: a cross-sectional study

  • Seungmi Park (College of Nursing & Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Sujin Kang (College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Hye Ok Park (Kumudini Nursing College) ;
  • Youngji Kim (Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University)
  • Received : 2025.06.26
  • Accepted : 2025.08.06
  • Published : 2025.08.31
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Abstract

Purpose: Korea's population is aging rapidly, and many older adults are now working as apartment security workers after retirement. They often experience poor working conditions and emotional labor, which can lead to depression. Although factors such as age, health, job insecurity, emotional labor, and sleep problems relate to depression in older workers, little evidence exists regarding older apartment security workers. This study, therefore, examined the effects of emotional labor and sleep quality on depression in these individuals. Methods: Between August and December 2023, 209 older apartment security workers participated in the study, completing a questionnaire that assessed their emotional labor, sleep quality, and depression. Data were examined using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. Results: This study found that 206 participants (98.6%) experienced poor sleep quality, and 70 participants (33.5%) reported feeling depressed. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that family type (β = .30), sleep quality (β = .29), emotional labor (β = .16), and unfair dismissal (β = .14) were significant predictors of depression, with an explanatory power of 25.0% (F = 18.26, p < .001). Conclusion: Depression and inadequate sleep were found to be highly prevalent in older security workers. The findings suggest that social isolation, inadequate sleep, increased emotional labor, and unstable employment may increase the risk of depression. Therefore, routine screening for these predictors may be beneficial, and comprehensive nursing interventions should be developed to reduce depression among older apartment security workers.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our gratitude to all the elderly apartment security workers who participated in this study.

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