Assessing the Prevalence of Adult Depression among Information Technology Professionals: An online Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Among the leading causes of disability globally is depression, affecting over 280 million people, including approximately 5% of adults World Health Organization (WHO), 2023.^[1] Among working professionals, depression has emerged as a critical occupational health concern, with job-related stressors such as excessive workload, job insecurity, long working hours, and poor work-life balance contributing to its rising prevalence (International Labor Organization,2022).^[2] Studies indicate that mental health disorders cost the world economy around $1 trillion every year as a result of lost productivity. WHO, 2022).^[3] The rapidly expanding global information technology (IT) sector is especially vulnerable to mental health disorders because IT workers deal with particular occupational stressors like long workdays, high cognitive demands, deadline pressure, and constant digital connectivity, all of which raise the risk of anxiety and depression.^[4] A recent meta-analysis found that IT employees revealed noticeably greater degrees of psychological disturbance in comparison to professionals in other industries^[5], and studies in high-tech hubs like Silicon Valley of India have highlighted concerning trends in burnout and depressive disorders among software engineers, coders, and data analysts.^[6] India carries a substantial burden of mental health disorders, with 56 million people experiencing depressive disorders and 38 million affected by anxiety disorders.^[7] The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 revealed that 15% of Indian adults need mental health interventions, with 1 in 20 individuals reporting symptoms of depression NMHS 2016.^[8] Despite these alarming statistics, mental health awareness and access to treatment remain limited due to stigma, a lack of mental health professionals, and inadequate workplace policies.^[9] The WHO states that depression is “marked by persistent sadness, lack of enjoyment or interest in previously pleasurable activities, and a lack of ability to do regular tasks” for at least two weeks. Additional symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, “sleep disturbances, and suicidal thoughts WHO, 2023.^[10] The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) further categorizes depression into Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder based on severity and duration (WHO, 2022).^[11]

It is said that Bengaluru is the “Silicon Valley of India.” It is commonly known as home to nearly 80% of the world's leading IT corporations, contributing $110 billion to India's gross domestic product and 34-40% of India's IT exports (National Association of Software and Service Companies [NASSCOM], 2023).^[12] This rapid technological advancement has cultivated a high-stress work environment marked by extended working hours, constant connectivity, and performance pressures, while creating many job prospects.^[13]

Many studies have shown that depression rates among Indian IT workers are alarmingly high, especially in places like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune.^[14,15] Another major worry is the high rate of professional suicide, which includes IT workers. India recorded over 13,000 suicides among working professionals in 2022, with many linked to work-related stress, burnout, and mental health conditions (National Crime Records Bureau, 2023).^[15] Despite these urgent issues, Indian workplace mental health policies are yet insufficient, and IT personnel do not have access to focused interventions. For long-term viability, organizational productivity, and employee well-being in the IT industry must be addressed.

Acknowledging this context as the focal one, the understanding of the emotional resistance in the IT personnel of Bengaluru has adopted an increasingly more important strategy with the growth of the Internet. The intent of this cross-sectional research is the detection of the depression rate among IT professionals in this region, which, according to the authors, today remains a major gap in knowledge in the area of mental health.^[16,17] The analysis of the potential risk factors and the launching of the focused interventions that would comply with the number of the target population this study is working with will be a generation and awareness creation through mental health, and establish a tabooed ground for the discussion of well-being in the high-stress environment of IT in Bengaluru.^[18] The study would serve as a feedback loop with potential public health initiatives, where^[19],mindset shifts resulting in a better understanding of mental health and initiation of programs for all employees^[19], inclusive of IT professionals, could be delivered. Above all, the research at the core of the project work will strive to develop a friendly and trustworthy work environment for IT employees within the framework of international protocol.^[20,21]

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

The study assessed depression using a PHQ-9 online survey among 280 IT professionals in urban Bengaluru. The gender distribution was 56.8% males and 43.2% females [Table 1]. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 75.36%, with the highest proportion in the mild category (31.07%), followed by moderate (18.93%), moderately severe (18.21%), and severe depression (7.14%) [Table 2].

When analyzing gender differences, males had a depressive symptoms prevalence of 68.18% (105 out of 154), while females had a prevalence of 84.13% (106 out of 126). Among men, 31.82% had minimal depressive symptoms, 34.42% had mild depressive symptoms, 20.13% had moderate depressive symptoms, 10.39% had moderately severe depressive symptoms, and 3.25% had depressive symptoms. In contrast, women had 15.87% with minimal depressive symptoms, 26.98% with mild depressive symptoms, 17.46% with moderate depressive symptoms, 27.78% with moderately severe depressive symptoms, and 11.90% with severe depressive symptoms [Table 3].

From these results, it is evident that women had a higher reporting of depressive symptoms (84.13%) compared to men (68.18%), with a notably more significant proportion of females experiencing moderately severe (27.78%) and severe depressive symptoms (11.90%) compared to males (10.39% and 3.25%, respectively). The most common type of depressive symptoms among women was moderately severe, whereas mild depressive symptoms was most frequent among men.

Several factors were associated with depression levels apart from gender. The marital status, economic standing, interests outside work, family history, health issues, and substance use with reported depressive symptoms were assessed. Association with Variables shows that age and years of experience did not have a significant association [Table 4]. Coping techniques like speaking with friends and engaging in leisure activities were commonly used, but those with higher depression levels reported reduced coping strategies, such as yoga and meditation [Table 5].

DISCUSSION

With 75.36% of Bengaluru's IT employees reporting depressive symptoms, this online study reveals a worryingly high frequency of depression among this population. The slightly higher rate of depression symptoms found in the study could be, in part, a function of the sensitivity of the PHQ-9, which measures a wide range of symptoms of depression, from mild to severe, that may not fulfill the requirements to be diagnosed with severe depression. The stressful nature of the IT work environment, with long work hours, significant mental demands, and stringent project timelines, could contribute to increased levels of psychological distress for IT workers. The anonymous nature of the Internet survey may have contributed to respondents reporting their symptoms of depression openly. This number is a lot higher than the 40% found in a Delhi study of the same kind.^[5] In contrast to studies in Delhi, Kerala, and Chennai, where the mean age was between 20 and 25, the majority of the participants in our study were between the ages of 26 and 35. This demographic difference may be caused by changes in sample selection practices and changing workforce patterns.^[28,5,14]

Depression and gender have a significant association according to our research. With the greatest proportion of people falling into the “Mild” (26.98%) and “Moderately Severe” (27.78%) categories, female participants had a greater overall prevalence of depressive symptoms (84.13%), which is one of our study's main conclusions. This is consistent with earlier research that highlights the disproportionate toll that high-stress employment has on women's mental health.^[14] Among the contributing elements are occupational stress, gender-based workplace challenges, and the dual burden of professional and domestic responsibilities. This is consistent with studies in Chennai, where depression was strongly associated with female gender and age above 35 years.^[14]

Our study also reinforces existing literature on the adverse impact of occupational stress on mental health. Long hours, high expectations for performance, and precarious employment are all hallmarks of Bengaluru's IT sector's demanding work climate.^[14]Workplace wellness programs have been recognized as effective strategies for improving employee well-being. Leading tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, and Google have put in place comprehensive mental health programs in the US, including stress management sessions, employee assistance programs (EAPs), and rewards for healthy habits.^[29] European countries, such as Sweden and Denmark, place a high value on work-life balance by providing paid parental leave, flexible work schedules, and on-site medical care.^[30] In Australia, similar programs emphasize physical fitness by offering gym memberships and dietary education.^[31]

These factors can cause people to neglect their own needs and increase the risk of burnout.^[32] A significant portion of Bengaluru IT workforce has also relocated from other regions, which has resulted in social isolation and a lack of family support, two things that worsen mental health issues.^[32] Women, in particular, face an added burden of unpaid domestic labor alongside their professional responsibilities, increasing their susceptibility to stress and depression.^[32]

CONCLUSION

The study results show Bengaluru's IT sector needs targeted mental health interventions. Even while workplace wellness initiatives have become more popular worldwide, much more has to be done in India, especially to guarantee their efficacy and accessibility. IT workers' general well-being can be greatly enhanced by addressing workplace stress, improving mental health support networks, and encouraging work-life balance through legislative changes. Intervention tactics and long-term tracking of mental health changes in this field should be the main topics for upcoming studies. Long-term tracking of mental health changes in this field and intervention techniques should be the main topics of future research. Despite the availability of mental health professionals in Bengaluru, barriers such as stigma, lack of awareness, and logistical challenges (e.g., long working hours) hinder access to mental health care. The IT industry should take the lead in promoting flexible work arrangements.