Effects of Sedentary Behaviors on Stress and Suicidal Ideation: Occupation-Based Differences

The study of examining the effects of sedentary behavior on stress level and suicidal ideation is crucial, but existing research on the topic is insufficient.

This study aimed to identify the effect of sedentary behaviors, with respect to the occupation type on stress and suicidal ideation among Korean adults.

This descriptive correlational study used raw data from the 6^th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI), conducted in 2015. The survey sampled 7,380 adults, of whom 3,714 were included in this analysis. Sedentary time, stress level, and suicidal ideation were measured. The data were analyzed using a homogeneity test, and logistic regression.

As sedentary time increased, stress (OR=1.036; p=0.001) and suicidal ideation (OR= 1.065; p=0.006) also increased significantly, irrespective of the gender, age, household income, education level, job, and marital status. Regarding occupation, stress level increased significantly with an increase in sedentary time for managers; professionals and related workers; clerks; and craft, equipment, machine-operating, and assembly-line workers, while skilled agriculture, forestry, and fishery workers experienced less stress. A significant increase in suicidal ideation was observed in craft, equipment, machine-operating, and assembly-line workers as their time spent on sitting increased.

This study found a significant association between average sedentary time, and stress and suicidal ideation. There is a need for interventional programs that can reduce sedentary behaviors for preventing mental health problems.