The Relationship Between Pain, Depression, and Job Satisfaction in Employees with Chronic Neck Pain

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between factors such as occupation, pain, depression, and kinesiophobia with job satisfaction in employees with chronic neck pain. Material and Method: This study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study. Individuals aged between 18 and 50 years, working in non-physically demanding occupations (such as nurses and secretaries), without neurological deficits and suffering from chronic neck pain lasting more than 3 months, were included in the study. The severity of neck pain was determined using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Disability was assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Depression symptoms were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory, and kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Job satisfaction was measured using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 software. Results: A total of 64 healthcare workers with chronic neck pain were included in the study. Among the participants, 33% were found to have low job satisfaction. In the group with low job satisfaction, pain severity (VAS: 7.6 vs. 6.5; p=0.011), disability level (NDI: 24.5 vs. 17.4; p=0.013), and depression level (BDI: 22.5 vs. 12.6; p