The depression epidemic at work: the role of communication in reducing depression

Building on prior findings indicating that depressed people perceive communication differently than non-depressed people, it is hypothesized that organizational communication mitigates depressive symptoms and therefore prevents them from developing their impact on work outcomes. Data were collected in 2005 and 2007 in an international financial consultancy firm, using a web-based questionnaire (n=1,014). The hypothesis is tested with structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS. The bootstrapping results indeed showed a negative association between symptoms of depression and work outcomes that was moderated through organizational communication. Based on the present research, a way of decreasing the negative effects of depression on work outcomes is to tailor organizational communication.