• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-55
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• 2015

Working the night-shift and long working hours may be linked to insomnia. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between night-shift work and long working-hours with regard to subjective insomnia in Korean workers. This study was based on the Third Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS) conducted on workers in 2011. The total number of individuals included in the analysis was 34,708 workers. Adjusted odd ratios showed statistically effective associations to insomnia. For night-shift work, the results were 2.71 (1.53 - 4.82) for night shift work by experts and managers, 2.95 (2.11 - 4.11) for night-shift work by officers, and 3.90 (2.05 - 7.42) for night-shift work by engineers compared with day duty. For long working hours, the scores were 2.43 (1.68-3.51) for >52 working hours by officers, 1.72 (1.15 - 2.58) for those in sales and service compared to ${\leq}40$ working hours. We suggest the need for Korean workers to target specific groups when creating policies related to reasonable environmental conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.237-254
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to classify the latent profiles in the exposure to hazard factors of salaried employees and test the determinants. Methods: Latent profile analysis(LPA) was conducted using data from the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey(KWCS). 30,050 of salaried employees were the subjects of this study. After classifying the employees, multinomial logistic regression was used to test the determinants. Results: Salaried employees were classified with three latent profiles based on the exposure to the hazard factors. Employees included in class 1(32.8%) tend to experience low level of physical hazard factors, moderate level of psychological hazard factors, and high level of office work hazard factors. Employees included in class 2(61.8%) tend to be exposed to the moderate to high level of physical hazard factors, moderate to low level of psychological hazard factors, and low level of office work hazard factors. Employees included in class 3(5.4%) tend to experience high level of psychological and physical hazard factors, and moderate level of office work hazard factors. After classification, the demographic, health-, and employment-related variables were tested. Conclusions: This study clarified the features of each class, and proved that employees in class 3 are quite hazardous in that they are exposed to physical and psychological hazard factors much more frequently than other employees. Thus, this study can be used in predicting the high-risk employees and taking preemptive measures for preventing industrial accidents.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.132-141
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between psychosocial working conditions and psychological well-being depending on the gender among Korean interactive service workers. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the data extracted from the 2011 Korean Working Conditions Survey. For the present analysis, 15,669 workers who interact with others at work were selected. Based on the existing literature, a set of variables was chosen from the KWCS. Psychological well-being was measured using the WHO-5 well-being index. Results: The prevalence of poor psychological well-being was significantly higher among men (43.1%) than women (39.6%). Women were more likely to be exposed to demands for hiding emotions, bullying, and discrimination, whereas men were more likely to be exposed to psychological job demands, cognitive demands, demands for responsibility, role conflict and long working hours. Most factors were associated with poor well-being among women and men except demands for hiding emotions, skill discretion and development, physical violence, and sexual harassment. Conclusion: Based on these results, some practical suggestions are offered to help interactive service workers adjust to their duties.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.46.1-46.12
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• 2023

Background: As unpredictable work schedule (UWS) has increased worldwide, various studies have been conducted on the resulting health effects on workers. However, research on the effect of UWS on workers' well-being in Korea is still insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between UWS and work-family conflict (WFC) using 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Methods: Both UWS and WFC were measured using self-reported questionnaires, using data from the 6th KWCS conducted between 2020 and 2021, including 31,859 participants. UWS was measured by questions regarding the frequency of changes in work schedules and limited advanced notice. WFC was measured by questions regarding work to family and family to work conflicts. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between UWS and WFC. Results: The prevalence of UWS was higher among men, those under 40 years old, service and sales workers and blue-collar workers, and those with higher salaries. Workplace size also influenced UWS prevalence, with smaller workplaces (less than 50 employees) showing a higher prevalence. The odds ratio (OR) for WFC was significantly higher in workers with UWS compared to workers without UWS after adjusting for gender, age, marital status, occupation, salary, education, weekly working hours, shift work, company size, and having a child under the age of 18 years, employment status (OR: 3.71; 95% confidence interval: 3.23-4.25). Conclusions: The analysis of nationwide data revealed that UWS interferes with workers' performance of family roles, which can lead to WFC. Our findings suggest that it is crucial to implement policies to address unfair work schedule management, promoting a healthier work-life balance and fostering a conducive environment for family responsibilities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.213-225
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• 2020

Objectives: In order to prepare measures to enhance construction workers' satisfaction with their working environment, the effects of working conditions and the mediating effects of safety and health information on workers' satisfaction with their working environment in the construction industry have been studied. The results of this study can be used as basic data for further studies in this field. Method: Data on 1,361 male construction workers from the 5th Korea Working Condition Survey (KWCS) were used for this study. The effects of working conditions were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and the mediating effects of health and safety information were analyzed with SPSS PROCESS macro using the bootstrap method. Results: The safety and health management system and the self-determination of break time had a statistically significant positive effect on satisfaction with the working environment. Chemical and ergonomic risk factors had a statistically significant negative effect on satisfaction with the working environment. The provision of safety and health information, the mediating variable, had a statistically significant positive effect on satisfaction with the working environment. Therefore, it had a mediating effect between working conditions and satisfaction with the working environment. Conclusion: In order to enhance construction workers' satisfaction with their working environment, the above results suggest that the safety and health management system should be well established; self-determination of break times should be guaranteed; and chemical and ergonomic risk factors should be controlled. In addition, workers should be provided with necessary health and safety information related to their work. This study will be useful if these findings are used as basic data in further studies in related fields.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2024

Background: As social distancing persists and interest in work-life balance grows, more companies are adopting flexible work policies. While there have been studies on sleep disorders associated with different types of work, such as shift work, research exploring the relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders is still limited, particularly among Korean workers. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, focusing on 31,243 paid workers out of a total of 50,538 participants. We defined flexible workers as those who set their own working hours. Sleep disorders were divided into three categories: 'difficulty falling asleep,' 'frequent waking during sleep,' and 'waking up feeling exhausted and fatigued.' Using scores derived from three specific symptoms, the Minimal Insomnia Symptoms Scale (MISS) was calculated to assess the prevalence of insomnia. We used chi-square tests to analyze demographic and job-related differences. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify any relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders. Results: Significant differences were found between flexible and non-flexible workers regarding age, income level, education level, and job type. Flexible workers reported sleep-related symptoms significantly more often. The odds ratio for insomnia was 1.40 (95% CI 1.21-1.61). For males, the odds ratio was 1.68 (1.36-2.08). Conclusion: This study establishes a correlation between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders among Korean salaried workers. Potential causes could include changes in circadian rhythm, increased work demands, and extended working hours. To precisely determine causality and associated diseases, further research is required.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2023

Background: Studies conducted so far on the link between commute time and mental health among Koreans remain insufficient. In this study, we attempted to identify the relationship between commute time and subjective mental health using the 6^th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Methods: Self-reported commute time was divided into four groups: ≤ 30 (group 1), 30-60 (group 2), 60-120 (group 3), and > 120 minutes (group 4). Subjective depression was defined as a score of 50 points or less on the WHO-5 well-being index. Subjective anxiety and fatigue were defined as answering 'yes' to the questionnaire on whether they had experienced it over the past year. The analysis of variance, t-test, and χ² test was used to analyze the differences among the characteristics of the study participants according to commute time, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression, anxiety, and fatigue according to commute time were calculated using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, monthly income, occupation, company size, weekly working hours, and shift work status. Results: Long commute times showed increased ORs and graded increasing trends for depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The ORs for depression increased significantly in group 2 (1.06 [1.01-1.11]), group 3 (1.23 [1.13-1.33]), and group 4 (1.31 [1.09-1.57]) compared to group 1 (reference). The ORs for anxiety increased significantly in group 2 (1.17 [1.06-1.29]), group 3 (1.43 [1.23-1.65]) and group 4 (1.89 [1.42-2.53]). The ORs for fatigue increased significantly in group 2 (1.09 [1.04-1.15]), group 3 (1.32 [1.21-1.43]), and group 4 (1.51 [1.25-1.82]). Conclusions: This study highlights that the risk of depression, anxiety, and fatigue increases with commute time.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to measure the job aspiration and examine the relationship between that and job satisfaction for wage-earners using the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey(KWCS). We use the stochastic frontier model for measuring the job aspiration and testing its effect on the job satisfaction. Fstochastic frontier model is introduced to explain that each company potentially produces less than it might due to a degree of job aspiration, measured by decomposing the residuals. In this model framework, it can be regard that the upper bound of the job satisfaction is the ideal frontier, and the bias between the ideal condition and the reality is the job aspiration. If this concept is applicable to the job aspiration, we can measure this bias and investigate a relationship with the job satisfaction. We find that there exists the job aspiration, and it is significantly negatively correlated with the job satisfaction. This result supports that if job aspiration increases, job satisfaction level decreases.