A qualitative case study on the evaluation of work-related depression in hotel workers: Kuşadası sample

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 199 - 207, 30.06.2025

Melda Meliha Erbaş , Ozan Esen

https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1567417

Abstract

Work-related depression is a state of inactivity, inability to future, uncertainty about what to do in the future, and giving up trying. Depression both harms the individual and poses an economic risk for the workplace. This study is an interdisciplinary study that aims to examine the problems experienced in the tourism sector in terms of mental health. The study aims to evaluate work-related depression symptoms, risk factors, and protective factors in hotel employees. The study was conducted in 5-star hotels in Kusadasi, one of the major tourism centers in Turkiye. Interviews were conducted with 15 volunteers working in different positions in six hotels determined by a purposive sampling method. The data obtained were analyzed by content analysis. Research findings were categorized under two themes: risk factors and protective factors. The findings suggest that factors such as workplace injustice, stress, and negative relationships (with customers, other employees, and family members) can be risk factors for workplace depression in hotel employees, whereas positive personality traits, social relationships, and economic security are protective factors. In addition, positive and negative future career expectations were found to be workplace-related variables.

Keywords

Hotel employees, Work-related depression, Risk factors, Protective factors

Otel çalışanlarında işe bağlı depresyonun değerlendirilmesi üzerine nitel bir vaka çalışması: Kuşadası örneği

Abstract

İşe bağlı depresyon, işyerinde bireylerde görülen hareketsizlik, gelecekte ne yapacağına dair belirsizlik ve denemekten vazgeçme durumudur. Depresyon, hem bireyin kendisine zarar vermekte hem de işyeri açısından ekonomik bir risk oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, turizm sektöründe yaşanan sıkıntıları ruh sağlığı açısından incelemeyi amaçlayan disiplinler arası bir çalışmadır. Araştırmanın amacı; otel çalışanlarında işe bağlı depresyon belirtilerini, risk faktörlerini ve koruyucu faktörleri değerlendirmektir. Araştırma, Kuşadası'nda faaliyet gösteren 5 yıldızlı otellerde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenen, otellerde farklı pozisyonlarda çalışan 15 gönüllü ile bireysel görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler içerik analiziyle analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucuna göre; risk faktörleri ve koruyucu faktörler olmak üzere iki tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Bulgular; işyerindeki adaletsizlik, stres gibi etmenlerin, müşteriyle, diğer çalışanlarla ve aile üyeleriyle negatif ilişkilerin otel çalışanlarında işyeri depresyonu için birer risk faktörü olabileceğini; öte yandan olumlu kişilik özellikleri, sosyal ilişkiler ve ekonomik güvencenin koruyucu faktörler olduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca kariyere yönelik olumlu ve olumsuz gelecek beklentilerinin işyeri depresyonuyla ilişkili değişkenler olduğu görülmüştür.

Keywords

Otel çalışanları, İşe bağlı depresyon, Risk faktörleri, Koruyucu faktörler

Ethical Statement

Ethical Statement: For the interview method used in this study, permission was obtained from Manisa Celal Bayar University Ethics Committee with the decision numbered 17 in its meeting dated 02.05.2023 and numbered 2023/05. In case of a contrary situation, TO&RE Journal has no responsibility and all responsibility belongs to the author (s) of the study.

Supporting Institution

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Thanks

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