• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.153-164
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• 2009

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between job stress, depression, health-related behavior and type A behavior patterns among male workers at a steel factory. Methods: The study was done on 171 male workers, using the structured questionnaire. The data were collected in April, 2009 and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed that 65.5% of workers were under moderate stress, 25.7% high stress and 0.6% extremely high stress. The overall score of these workers' occupational stress was 41.9, lower than the Korean workers' average. Occupational stress was correlated with depression, type A behavior patterns, a very poor physical condition without sufficient sleep. Conclusion: Stress management program is strongly needed for these subjects working over 45 hours a week, with a very poor subjective physical condition, insufficient sleep, type A behavior patterns and signs of severe depression. Further longitudinal study is recommended to show the effect of such worker's stress management program to mitigate job-related stress.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.108-117
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between customer contact service and mental health among Korean taxi drivers. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data collected from the 2015 Korean Working Conditions Survey. The sample included 496 taxi drivers in South Korea. The effect of customer contact service on mental health was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The independent variables were general characteristics, working conditions, and hazardous factors in interactive service. Results: The prevalence of poor mental health was 56.3%. Taxi drivers experienced emotional involvement (17.2%), hiding feeling (32.0%), and contact with angry clients (18.3%) in their job. During the first month of their work, 33.7% experienced verbal abuse and 12.3% threats/humiliating behaviors. In bivariate analysis, verbal abuse, threats/humiliating behaviors, and physical violence were associated with mental health of taxi drivers. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed 'emotional involvement' and 'contact with angry clients' were significant predictors of mental health. Conclusion: The findings of this study may be useful in developing intervention programs to improve the mental health of taxi drivers in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the job stress, health promotion behaviors and quality of life between public health officials and general administration officials. Methods: Subjects were 60 public health officials and 71 general administration officials in G-City in Korea. Data were collected from January 25 to February 5, 2016 through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: Job stress (t=4.060 p<.001) and quality of life (t=3.963, p=.025) were significantly different between public health officials and general administration ones, while health promotion behaviors were not significantly different between these two official groups (t=0.394, p=.606) Conclusion: Results of this study suggested that it was necessary for public health officials to develop intervention program aimed at reducing job stress. Also, it would be effective to focus on improving health promotion behaviors and quality of life for them.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among physical and psychosocial risk factors, mental health, and presenteeism of South Korean hairdressers. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2014 Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), conducted by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. For the present analysis, 920 hairdressers were selected. Based on existing literature, a set of variables was chosen from the KWCS. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association among risk factors in working place, mental health, and presenteeism. Results: The prevalence of poor mental health and presenteeism was 45.1% and 36.0%, respectively. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that 'repetitive hand or arm movements,' were significant predictors of mental health (OR: 0.63, CI: 0.41~0.97), and 'role clarity' was a significant predictor of presenteeism (OR: 1.86, CI: 1.10~3.13). Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest to improve the clarification of the role of hairdressers as a strategy to reduce their presenteeism.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify job stress and psychological health of female household head workers and investigate the relationship between them. Methods: This study was cross-sectionally designed. We analysed the secondary data extracted from the 2nd and 3rd Korean Working Condition Survey. 4,807 female employees were included in the final analysis. $x^2$ test and multiple logistic regression using IBM SPSS 23.0 were performed. Results: 46.7% of female household head workers were in poor psychological health. In the area of job stress-related characteristics affecting the level of psychological health, it was found that female household head workers had a higher likelihood of becoming psychologically unhealthy due to organizational relationships and inadequate compensation factors. Conclusion: Considering the fact that the number of female household head workers is gradually expanding as a breadwinner, it is necessary to find a way of paying attention to their job stress and psychological health in order to support them.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the effect of job stress, depression and perceived health status on job satisfaction among child care teachers. Methods: Data were from a convenient sample of 169 child care teachers with self-administered questionnaires from January 5th to 30th, 2015. Collected data were analysed using SPSS/WIN 18.0. Results: Child care teachers had upper-medium level of perceived health status, lower level of depression and job stress and above medium level of job satisfaction. Affecting factors of job satisfaction among child care teachers included depression, and job stress ($Adj.R^2=.58$, F=78.60, p<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that development of emotional supportive program and supportive system are needed to increase the job satisfaction among child care teachers. Exploration of strategies to reduce the depression and job stress will be necessary in order to increase the job satisfaction.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.300-310
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• 2016

Purpose: Few studies have considered the psychosocial work environment factors in relation to employee health. This study explored the relationship between psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health among Korean employees. Methods: The study population of 21,476 employees was derived from the 2014 Korean Work Environment Survey (KWES). Psychosocial work environment was measured by Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire scales. Results: Among employees at workplaces (n=21,476), 23.3% rated their health as poor. Among 12 indicators of psychosocial work environment characteristics, 'higher emotional demand', 'demands for hiding emotions', 'work-family conflict', and 'social community at work' were independently associated with risk of poor self-rated health of Korean employees after adjustment of all sociodemographics, work condition characteristics and physical work environment exposure. In addition, higher 'possibilities for development' and 'social support from supervisor' were more likely to decrease the risk of poor health. Conclusion: We suggest that psychosocial work environment is an important determinant of employees' health. The study results provide a good starting point for developing intervention and strategies for health improvement.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.352-361
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing smoking cessation in female workers. Methods: This study was secondary analysis based on the data from the Community Health Survey, 2014 with the subjects of 2,007 female workers. The data were analyzed using $x^2$ test and multiple logistic regression. Results: 29.2% of female workers had the intention to quit smoking. The subjects with office jobs showed higher smoking cessation intention than non-office jobs. Smoking cessation intention was influenced by the amount of smoking per day, previous attempts to quit smoking, sleeping time, the presence of chronic disease, the presence of depressive symptoms, weight control behavior and subjective body images. Conclusion: These findings show that tailored interventions should be provided depending on the types of occupations in order to increase smoking cessation in female workers. In addition, smoking cessation programs need to consider not only the smoking related factors but also physical and psychological health including chronic disease, weight, and depression.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the 'Enterprise Health Promotion Index', a tool for assessing health promotion activities of worksite developed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Methods: This is designed a methodological study that evaluates the validity of the Enterprise Health Promotion Index. For this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted for the workplace health professional and safety professional, and a total of 297 data were extracted as final data. We developed the informal health promotion needs and activity measurement tools. The correlation coefficient between the score of the enterprise health promotion index and the score of the informal health promotion tool was analyzed for the criterion validity evaluation. Results: The criterion validity of the Enterprise Health Promotion Index and activity index were supported by finding moderate (r=.597) and high (r=.783) correlation coefficient. However, the requirement index has low levels of criterion validity (r=.364). Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest to improve the utility of the corporate health promotion index by developing user manual, active public relations, and providing briefing sessions.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2020

Purpose: Workers with chronic health problems find it difficult to maintain their work because of socioeconomic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards in the workplace and chronic health problems of Korean workers. Methods: A total of 28,807 wage workers participated in the study and were selected using the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2017). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards and chronic health problems. Results: Of the participants, 1,220 (4.23%) had chronic health problems. Even after adjusting the general characteristics, vibration, noise, high temperature, low temperature, dust, chemical and cigarette smoke, fatigue and painful posture, dragging or pushing or moving of heavy objects, repetitive hand or arm movements, working with a computer or smartphone, use of internet or e-mail, and anxiety situations increased the risk of chronic health problems. Conclusion: The study reaffirms that exposure of physical, ergonomic, and mental health hazards in the workplace significantly increases the risk of chronic health problems.