Suicidal Ideation in People with Chronic Illness During COVID-19: The Roles of Stress, Occupational Burnout, and Depression

Background People with chronic illness and disability (CID) are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress during syndemic situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-existing workplace challenges can intensify stressors and increase vulnerability to adverse mental health outcomes. Objective Guided by Pearlin's stress process model, this study examined whether occupational burnout and depression were sequentially associated with the relationship between pandemic-related perceived stress and suicidal ideation. Method We collected responses from 195 employed adults with chronic illness in South Korea using an online survey. A path analysis was conducted to test direct and indirect associations among perceived stress, occupational burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Results Results supported the proposed sequential mediation pathway. During the pandemic, perceived stress was positively associated with occupational burnout, which in turn was associated with greater depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusion These findings highlight that occupational burnout can be an important intervention point for addressing stress-related psychological distress among workers with chronic illness, particularly during periods of heightened workplace stress or disruption.