To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and impact factors of depressive symptoms among thermal power plant workers.

A cluster sampling survey was conducted among 498 thermal power plant workers using questionnaires to collect information of demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and occupational stressors. SPSS 13.0 software was employed to perform t-test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and non-conditional logistic regression analysis.

There were 429 valid questionnaires. The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms was 30.3% (130/429). The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms for the group with 6-15 years of seniority was 41.4%, which was higher than the group with ≤ 6 years of seniority and the group with >15 years of seniority (P<0.001). The prevalence rate for the single or divorced workers was 42.6%, which was higher than that of the married workers (χ²=7.31, P<0.05). By non-conditional logistic regression analysis, single or divorced, higher daily tension, more negative emotion, more serious role conflict, and more physical demands were risk factors of depressive symptoms (OR=4.560, 3.013, 4.808, 1.815, and 1.890, all Ps<0.05), but higher reward was a protective factor (OR=0.424, P<0.05).

The mental health status of workers in selected thermal power plant should be concerned. Increasing reward, alleviating daily tension and negative emotion, and reducing role conflict and physical demands may decrease the occurrence of depressive symptoms.