King Saul, work-related stress and depression

摘要

The story of King Saul in the Bible provides a good example of a man suffering from depression, and I believe thai the story fits well with current scientific understanding of the role of work-related stress as a determinant of depression. According to Karasek's job stress model, a combination of high demands and low control at work will lead to psychological stress,3 which can eventually lead to chronic disease, including psychopathology. Several elements in the story of King Saul are illustrative of the effects of job-related stress. I will relate just one episode that I found especially moving when I read it.