This study investigated protective and risk factors for depressive mood and anxiety against occupational stress, including temperament character and coping strategy, among civil servants. We administered a questionnaire that included demographic factors and psychological scales to 1197 Korean civil servants. High levels of occupational stress, temperaments of novelty seeking and harm avoidance, a character of cooperativeness, and using emotion-focused coping were risk factors for depressive mood, while living with a partner, having a character of self-directedness, and using problem-focused strategies were protective factors. Additionally, female gender, high level of occupational stress, and temperaments of novelty seeking and harm avoidance were risk factors for anxiety, while having a character of self-directedness was a protective factor. Assessment of temperament character and training on effective coping strategies may help address depressive mood and anxiety for civil servants.
Keywords: Anxiety; coping skill; depressive symptom; occupational stresses; personality; protective factor.