Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Job satisfaction and depression are closely interconnected, forming a vicious cycle where decreased job satisfaction leads to reduced productivity, negatively affecting both mental and physical health and the quality of patient care. 
Objectives: This study aims to estimate the rate of depressive symptoms, analyze job satisfaction distribution, assess the association between job satisfaction and depression, and explore the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on these variables among physicians. 
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City and Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, from March to August 2024. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, the “Patient Health Questionnaire,” and the “Warr-Cook-Wall Job Satisfaction Scale.” A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. 
Results: A total of 550 physicians participated; 61.6% were male. Depressive symptoms were present in 58.2% of physicians, while 72.1% reported job dissatisfaction. Among those dissatisfied, 87.5% exhibited depressive symptoms. 
Conclusion: A significant association was found between depressive symptoms and job dissatisfaction. Key factors affecting both outcomes included marital status, department, and years of experience, smoking, alcohol consumption, and chronic diseases. Further research and effective interventions are recommended to improve physicians’ job satisfaction and mental health.