Relationship between Occupational Stress and Work-related Factors in Dental Hygienists

This study was purposed to evaluate the level of occupational stress and the work-related factors of occupational stress in dental hygienists. The study was conducted during the period from May to October 2010 with study population consisted of 316 dental hygienists. The occupational stress was estimated with questionnaire of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS) and the work-related factors were consisted with 9 work characteristics. Data analysis was performed with t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis using SPSS(win ver 18.0) program. The level of occupational stress was $52.42{\pm}4.95$ in dental hygienists. The levels of sub-scales for occupational stress were $64.56{\pm}12.17$ in interpersonal conflict, $59.85{\pm}13.59$ in physical environment, $54.60{\pm}13.51$ in organizational system, $52.37{\pm}11.47$ in job demand, $51.71{\pm}10.58$ in lack of reward, $48.14{\pm}12.97$ in insufficient job control, $46.68{\pm}9.25$ in job insecurity, $41.46{\pm}15.98$ in occupational climate, respectively. According to multiple regression analysis, physical burden and daily repetitive working hour were work-related factors of occupational stress in dental hygienists. To conclude, the occupational stress in dental hygienists was higher than mean score of reference values of occupational stress in Korean workers and methods for reducing work load and work hours considering work characteristics of dental hygienist are needed to prevent occupational stress in dental hygienists.

치과위생사의 직무스트레스와 직무요인의 관계

치과위생사의 직무스트레스 수준과 관련된 직무요인을 파악하기 위하여 부산 경남지역의 500명 중 부적절하게 조사된 184명을 제외한 316명을 연구대상으로 한국인 직무스트레스 측정도구 기본형(KOSS-43)을 활용하여 자기기입식 설문조사를 시행한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 치과위생사의 전체 직무스트레스는 $52.42{\pm}4.95$로 나타났으며, 세부항목별로는 관계갈등이 $64.56{\pm}12.17$로 가장 높게 나타났고, 물리환경 $59.85{\pm}13.59$, 조직체계 $54.60{\pm}13.51$, 직무요구 $52.37{\pm}11.47$, 보상부적절 $51.71{\pm}10.58$, 직무자율성 결여 $48.14{\pm}12.97$, 직무불안정 $46.68{\pm}9.25$, 직장문화 $41.46{\pm}15.98$의 순으로 나타났다. 2. 치과위생사의 직무스트레스와 관련된 요인으로는 일반적 특성 중 운동, 직무관련 특성 중 신체적 부담감과 반복 작업시간 등 이었다. 이상의 연구결과 치과위생사의 직무스트레스는 한국인 근로자의 직무스트레스 수준과 비교하여 평균이상의 높은 수준을 나타내었고, 직무스트레스의 예방을 위하여 적절한 직무부담과 작업시간 조절을 통한 신체적 부담을 줄일 수 있는 방법과 치과위생사의 직무특성을 고려한 적절한 작업량 조절방안 등이 필요할 것이다.