Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background and objectives Coal miners are exposed to a significant risk of anxiety and depression due to challenging work environment. However, there is a lack of studies comprehensively examining the associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners. Our study aimed t...

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Main Authors: Jiajun Hao, He Bai, Leying Hou, Wenhan Xiao, Jiali Zhou, Weidi Sun, Jingyi Wang, Peige Song, Therese Hesketh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24127-8
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author Jiajun Hao
He Bai
Leying Hou
Wenhan Xiao
Jiali Zhou
Weidi Sun
Jingyi Wang
Peige Song
Therese Hesketh
author_facet Jiajun Hao
He Bai
Leying Hou
Wenhan Xiao
Jiali Zhou
Weidi Sun
Jingyi Wang
Peige Song
Therese Hesketh
author_sort Jiajun Hao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and objectives Coal miners are exposed to a significant risk of anxiety and depression due to challenging work environment. However, there is a lack of studies comprehensively examining the associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners. Our study aimed to identify these associated factors among Chinese coal miners in Shanxi Province. Methods In August and September 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a cluster sampling method to enroll all workers from the L coal mines in Linfen City, China. Data were collected using a self-designed and administered online questionnaire, which included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10-item (CESD-10) to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms, along with questions on sociodemographics, work-related factors, health status, and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for anxiety and depressive symptoms. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using linear regression. Results A total of 1,027 participants were included in the analysis. Among them, 278 (27.07%) exhibited anxiety symptoms, and 238 (23.17%) showed depressive symptoms. In the multivariable logistic regression, associated factors identified for both anxiety and depressive symptoms included having direct or indirect safety accident experience (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for anxiety: 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29 ~ 2.40; aOR for depression: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 2.38), presence of occupational diseases (aOR for anxiety: 4.00, 95% CI: 1.51 ~ 11.10; aOR for depression: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 9.23), self-reported non-optimal health status (aOR for anxiety: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19 ~ 2.37; aOR for depression: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.41 ~ 2.85), current alcohol consumption (aOR for anxiety: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.27 ~ 2.66; aOR for depression: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.12 ~ 2.41), and sleep duration of less than 7 hours (aOR for anxiety: 1.84, 1.36 ~ 2.50; aOR for depression: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 2.36). In addition, working in a management position (aOR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.02 ~ 3.96) was positively associated with anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Our study identified key factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese coal miners. Management was more likely to experience anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions within the coal mining industry to improve their well-being.
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spelling doaj-art-632d5bcc4e1d48a4b300ee3935abab7d2025-08-24T11:55:47ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-24127-8Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional studyJiajun Hao0He Bai1Leying Hou2Wenhan Xiao3Jiali Zhou4Weidi Sun5Jingyi Wang6Peige Song7Therese Hesketh8Centre for Global Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of MedicineCentre for Global Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health; NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan UniversitySchool of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityCentre for Global Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of MedicineAbstract Background and objectives Coal miners are exposed to a significant risk of anxiety and depression due to challenging work environment. However, there is a lack of studies comprehensively examining the associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners. Our study aimed to identify these associated factors among Chinese coal miners in Shanxi Province. Methods In August and September 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a cluster sampling method to enroll all workers from the L coal mines in Linfen City, China. Data were collected using a self-designed and administered online questionnaire, which included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10-item (CESD-10) to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms, along with questions on sociodemographics, work-related factors, health status, and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors for anxiety and depressive symptoms. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using linear regression. Results A total of 1,027 participants were included in the analysis. Among them, 278 (27.07%) exhibited anxiety symptoms, and 238 (23.17%) showed depressive symptoms. In the multivariable logistic regression, associated factors identified for both anxiety and depressive symptoms included having direct or indirect safety accident experience (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for anxiety: 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29 ~ 2.40; aOR for depression: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 2.38), presence of occupational diseases (aOR for anxiety: 4.00, 95% CI: 1.51 ~ 11.10; aOR for depression: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 9.23), self-reported non-optimal health status (aOR for anxiety: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19 ~ 2.37; aOR for depression: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.41 ~ 2.85), current alcohol consumption (aOR for anxiety: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.27 ~ 2.66; aOR for depression: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.12 ~ 2.41), and sleep duration of less than 7 hours (aOR for anxiety: 1.84, 1.36 ~ 2.50; aOR for depression: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.25 ~ 2.36). In addition, working in a management position (aOR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.02 ~ 3.96) was positively associated with anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Our study identified key factors associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese coal miners. Management was more likely to experience anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions within the coal mining industry to improve their well-being.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24127-8Coal minerAssociated factorsAnxiety symptomsDepressive symptomsMental health
spellingShingle Jiajun Hao
He Bai
Leying Hou
Wenhan Xiao
Jiali Zhou
Weidi Sun
Jingyi Wang
Peige Song
Therese Hesketh
Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
BMC Public Health
Coal miner
Associated factors
Anxiety symptoms
Depressive symptoms
Mental health
title Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
title_full Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
title_short Associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
title_sort associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms among coal miners in shanxi china a cross sectional study
topic Coal miner
Associated factors
Anxiety symptoms
Depressive symptoms
Mental health
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24127-8
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