The factors affecting subthreshold depression for people with occupational stress in the era of digital intelligence: Machine learning -based evidence

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.2001

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DENG Lifang, PEI Bei, GAO Tianai. (2025). The factors affecting subthreshold depression for people with occupational stress in the era of digital intelligence: Machine learning -based evidence. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 57(11), 2001-2021.

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URL: https://journal.psych.ac.cn/acps/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.2001

https://journal.psych.ac.cn/acps/EN/Y2025/V57/I11/2001

Figures/Tables 7

Figure 1. The research framework

Figure 1. The research framework

Table 1 Coding of manifestations of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Main Categories (Word frequency proportion)	Subcategories	Concepts	Examples of Keywords
Negative thinking (22.54%)	Self-deprecation	Self-denial, Self-blame	Unduly humble oneself, Self-reproach, Guilt
	Overthinking	Obsessive-compulsive tendencies, Over-analysis	Worry about personal gains and losses, Unable to make sense, Get into a blind alley
	Pessimistic expectation	Negative predictions, Lack of hope	Living death, Hopelessness
Emotional abnormality (26.89%)	Accumulation of negative emotions	Sadness and low mood, Sensitivity and worry	Feeling upset, Depressed, Worried, Anxious
Emotional abnormality (26.89%)	Lack of positive emotions	Reduced interest, Lack of pleasure	Loss of interest, Lack of enjoyment, Unhappiness
Weakened willpower (30.82%)	Fatigue and procrastination	Exhaustion and weakness, Task Procrastination	Feeling tired, Fatigued, Burned out, Unwilling to act
	Drastic decline in motivation	Lack of goals, Weakened motivation	Feeling aimless, Giving up on oneself, Slack off
	Diminished attention	Attentional Lability, Memory Impairment	Mental Lethargy, Absent-mindedness, Memory Lapses
Daily behavioral changes (6.84%)	Self-harm and suicidal tendencies	Self-harm tendency, Suicidal ideation	Self-injury, Thoughts of death, Suicidal thoughts
	Addictive behaviors	Substance addiction, Internet compensation	Excessive consumption, Alcohol abuse
	Interpersonal avoidance	Reduced social activities, Interpersonal alienation	Social anxiety, Social avoidance
Physiological and habitual changes (12.90%)	Diet and weight changes	Changes in eating habits, Weight fluctuation	Binge eating, Loss of appetite, Drastic weight loss
Physiological and habitual changes (12.90%)	Sleep problems	Changes in sleep patterns, Poor sleep quality	Insomnia, Difficulty falling asleep, Excessive dreaming

Table 1 Coding of manifestations of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Main Categories (Word frequency proportion)	Subcategories	Concepts	Examples of Keywords
Negative thinking (22.54%)	Self-deprecation	Self-denial, Self-blame	Unduly humble oneself, Self-reproach, Guilt
	Overthinking	Obsessive-compulsive tendencies, Over-analysis	Worry about personal gains and losses, Unable to make sense, Get into a blind alley
	Pessimistic expectation	Negative predictions, Lack of hope	Living death, Hopelessness
Emotional abnormality (26.89%)	Accumulation of negative emotions	Sadness and low mood, Sensitivity and worry	Feeling upset, Depressed, Worried, Anxious
Emotional abnormality (26.89%)	Lack of positive emotions	Reduced interest, Lack of pleasure	Loss of interest, Lack of enjoyment, Unhappiness
Weakened willpower (30.82%)	Fatigue and procrastination	Exhaustion and weakness, Task Procrastination	Feeling tired, Fatigued, Burned out, Unwilling to act
	Drastic decline in motivation	Lack of goals, Weakened motivation	Feeling aimless, Giving up on oneself, Slack off
	Diminished attention	Attentional Lability, Memory Impairment	Mental Lethargy, Absent-mindedness, Memory Lapses
Daily behavioral changes (6.84%)	Self-harm and suicidal tendencies	Self-harm tendency, Suicidal ideation	Self-injury, Thoughts of death, Suicidal thoughts
	Addictive behaviors	Substance addiction, Internet compensation	Excessive consumption, Alcohol abuse
	Interpersonal avoidance	Reduced social activities, Interpersonal alienation	Social anxiety, Social avoidance
Physiological and habitual changes (12.90%)	Diet and weight changes	Changes in eating habits, Weight fluctuation	Binge eating, Loss of appetite, Drastic weight loss
Physiological and habitual changes (12.90%)	Sleep problems	Changes in sleep patterns, Poor sleep quality	Insomnia, Difficulty falling asleep, Excessive dreaming

Table 2 Coding of influencing factors of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Main Categories (Word frequency proportion)	Subcategories	Concepts	Examples of Keywords
Somatic diseases (3.91%)	Somatic abnormalities	Body pain, Somatic discomfort	Osphyalgia, Headache, Vomit
Somatic diseases (3.91%)	Physiological diseases	Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, Cancer, Respiratory diseases, Other diseases;	Pharyngitis, Tumors, Hypertension
Evaluation adaptation (26.63%)	Self-awareness	Self-evaluation, Self-esteem level	Self-awareness, Self-confidence, Sense of superiority
Evaluation adaptation (26.63%)	Environmental adaptation	Environmental assessment, Environmental coping	Era, Trend, Adaptation
Emotion management (2.89%)	Emotional internalization	Self-composure, Emotional suppression	Emotional stability, Calmness, Emotional control
	Emotional expression	Emotional expression, Emotional catharsis	Release, Venting, Outburst
	Emotional reconstruction	Emotional diversion, Emotional reconstruction	Detachment, Relief, Emotional dredging
Autonomous selection (22.05%)	Rights protection	Rule restrictions, Rights protection, Economic and material foundation	legality, Rights defense, Social security
Autonomous selection (22.05%)	Behavioral freedom	Opportunity selection, Development planning, Life autonomy	Autonomy, Right of choice, Opportunity
Personality factors (4.52%)	Extraversion	Activeness, Sociability, Optimism / Defensiveness, Passiveness, Pessimism	Enthusiasm, Affability, Positivity / Aloofness, Shyness, Pessimism
	Altruism	Kindness, Integrity / Selfishness, Hypocrisy	Kindness, Sincerity, Responsibility / Harshness, Irresponsibility, Deceitful
	Conscientiousness	Rigor, Meticulousness, Responsibility / Perfunctoriness, Carelessness, Indulgence	Caution, Careful / Recklessness, Indulgence
	Decisiveness	Resolution, Perseverance, Courage / Hesitation, Fragility, Cowardice	Resolute, Fortitude / Weakness, Indecision
	Agility	Resourcefulness, Flexible / Dullness, Superficiality	Intelligence, Flexibility / Ignorance, Conservatism
	Agreeableness	Open-mindedness, Quietism / Narrow-mindedness, Competitiveness	Broad-mindedness, Not compete for something / Pettiness, Irritability
Work factors (28.56%)	Job requirements	Job competence, Time pressure, Task load, Work regulations	Executive ability, Work efficiency, Workload
	Working conditions	Office environment, Benefits and career prospects, Commuting conditions	Office premises, Salary, Shuttle bus service
	Organizational cultural environment	Team atmosphere, Humanistic care, Workplace Interpersonal relationships	Sense of belonging, Support for new employee, Guidance
Stressful events (0.79%)	Individual stressful events	Survival changes, Financial losses, Family incidents	Car accident, Bankruptcy, Debt, Bereavement
Stressful events (0.79%)	Social stressful events	Natural disasters, Social crises	Fire, Earthquake, Pandemic, War
Interpersonal factors (10.65%)	General social interactions	Regular contacts, Online social interactions	Friend, Classmate, Online friend, Social circle
Interpersonal factors (10.65%)	Intimate interactions	Romantic relationships, Kinships	Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Parents, Family member

Table 2 Coding of influencing factors of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Main Categories (Word frequency proportion)	Subcategories	Concepts	Examples of Keywords
Somatic diseases (3.91%)	Somatic abnormalities	Body pain, Somatic discomfort	Osphyalgia, Headache, Vomit
Somatic diseases (3.91%)	Physiological diseases	Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, Cancer, Respiratory diseases, Other diseases;	Pharyngitis, Tumors, Hypertension
Evaluation adaptation (26.63%)	Self-awareness	Self-evaluation, Self-esteem level	Self-awareness, Self-confidence, Sense of superiority
Evaluation adaptation (26.63%)	Environmental adaptation	Environmental assessment, Environmental coping	Era, Trend, Adaptation
Emotion management (2.89%)	Emotional internalization	Self-composure, Emotional suppression	Emotional stability, Calmness, Emotional control
	Emotional expression	Emotional expression, Emotional catharsis	Release, Venting, Outburst
	Emotional reconstruction	Emotional diversion, Emotional reconstruction	Detachment, Relief, Emotional dredging
Autonomous selection (22.05%)	Rights protection	Rule restrictions, Rights protection, Economic and material foundation	legality, Rights defense, Social security
Autonomous selection (22.05%)	Behavioral freedom	Opportunity selection, Development planning, Life autonomy	Autonomy, Right of choice, Opportunity
Personality factors (4.52%)	Extraversion	Activeness, Sociability, Optimism / Defensiveness, Passiveness, Pessimism	Enthusiasm, Affability, Positivity / Aloofness, Shyness, Pessimism
	Altruism	Kindness, Integrity / Selfishness, Hypocrisy	Kindness, Sincerity, Responsibility / Harshness, Irresponsibility, Deceitful
	Conscientiousness	Rigor, Meticulousness, Responsibility / Perfunctoriness, Carelessness, Indulgence	Caution, Careful / Recklessness, Indulgence
	Decisiveness	Resolution, Perseverance, Courage / Hesitation, Fragility, Cowardice	Resolute, Fortitude / Weakness, Indecision
	Agility	Resourcefulness, Flexible / Dullness, Superficiality	Intelligence, Flexibility / Ignorance, Conservatism
	Agreeableness	Open-mindedness, Quietism / Narrow-mindedness, Competitiveness	Broad-mindedness, Not compete for something / Pettiness, Irritability
Work factors (28.56%)	Job requirements	Job competence, Time pressure, Task load, Work regulations	Executive ability, Work efficiency, Workload
	Working conditions	Office environment, Benefits and career prospects, Commuting conditions	Office premises, Salary, Shuttle bus service
	Organizational cultural environment	Team atmosphere, Humanistic care, Workplace Interpersonal relationships	Sense of belonging, Support for new employee, Guidance
Stressful events (0.79%)	Individual stressful events	Survival changes, Financial losses, Family incidents	Car accident, Bankruptcy, Debt, Bereavement
Stressful events (0.79%)	Social stressful events	Natural disasters, Social crises	Fire, Earthquake, Pandemic, War
Interpersonal factors (10.65%)	General social interactions	Regular contacts, Online social interactions	Friend, Classmate, Online friend, Social circle
Interpersonal factors (10.65%)	Intimate interactions	Romantic relationships, Kinships	Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Parents, Family member

Table 3 Association rules between influencing factors and manifestations of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Antecedent	Consequent	Support	Confidence	Lift
Stressful events	Manifestations of Subthreshold Depression	0.154	0.976	1.138
Emotion management		0.558	0.965	1.125
Somatic diseases		0.371	0.952	1.110
Personality factors		0.666	0.951	1.109
Interpersonal factors		0.739	0.935	1.090
Autonomous selection		0.886	0.908	1.059
Evaluation adaptation		0.896	0.906	1.056
Work factors		0.918	0.897	1.046

Table 3 Association rules between influencing factors and manifestations of subthreshold depression in people with occupational stress

Antecedent	Consequent	Support	Confidence	Lift
Stressful events	Manifestations of Subthreshold Depression	0.154	0.976	1.138
Emotion management		0.558	0.965	1.125
Somatic diseases		0.371	0.952	1.110
Personality factors		0.666	0.951	1.109
Interpersonal factors		0.739	0.935	1.090
Autonomous selection		0.886	0.908	1.059
Evaluation adaptation		0.896	0.906	1.056
Work factors		0.918	0.897	1.046

Figure 2. Results of Mann-Kendall trend test for work factors and interpersonal factors

Figure 2. Results of Mann-Kendall trend test for work factors and interpersonal factors

Table 4 Comparison of prediction results among different machine learning models

Model	Group	Precision	Recall	F1 scores	AUC
Logistic Regression	Non-depression	0.62	0.78	0.69	0.85
	Subthreshold depression	0.89	0.89	0.89	0.93
	Depression	0.72	0.50	0.59	0.83
	macro avg	0.75	0.72	0.73	0.87
	Overall accuracy	77.19%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.05
Random Forest	Non-depression	0.65	0.75	0.70	0.85
	Subthreshold depression	0.88	0.89	0.88	0.94
	Depression	0.75	0.58	0.65	0.93
	macro avg	0.76	0.74	0.74	0.91
	Overall accuracy	78.07%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.08
Support Vector Machine (SVM)	Non-depression	0.81	0.66	0.72	0.72
	Subthreshold depression	0.88	0.89	0.88	0.88
	Depression	0.61	0.73	0.67	0.78
	macro avg	0.77	0.76	0.76	0.79
	Overall accuracy	78.95%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.03
eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)	Non-depression	0.74	0.78	0.76	0.87
	Subthreshold depression	0.91	0.89	0.90	0.93
	Depression	0.72	0.69	0.71	0.90
	macro avg	0.79	0.79	0.79	0.90
	Overall accuracy	81.58%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.08

Table 4 Comparison of prediction results among different machine learning models

Model	Group	Precision	Recall	F1 scores	AUC
Logistic Regression	Non-depression	0.62	0.78	0.69	0.85
	Subthreshold depression	0.89	0.89	0.89	0.93
	Depression	0.72	0.50	0.59	0.83
	macro avg	0.75	0.72	0.73	0.87
	Overall accuracy	77.19%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.05
Random Forest	Non-depression	0.65	0.75	0.70	0.85
	Subthreshold depression	0.88	0.89	0.88	0.94
	Depression	0.75	0.58	0.65	0.93
	macro avg	0.76	0.74	0.74	0.91
	Overall accuracy	78.07%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.08
Support Vector Machine (SVM)	Non-depression	0.81	0.66	0.72	0.72
	Subthreshold depression	0.88	0.89	0.88	0.88
	Depression	0.61	0.73	0.67	0.78
	macro avg	0.77	0.76	0.76	0.79
	Overall accuracy	78.95%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.03
eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)	Non-depression	0.74	0.78	0.76	0.87
	Subthreshold depression	0.91	0.89	0.90	0.93
	Depression	0.72	0.69	0.71	0.90
	macro avg	0.79	0.79	0.79	0.90
	Overall accuracy	81.58%
	std dev of 5-fold cv accuracy	0.08