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Choi and Ha: Work-related Stress and Risk Factors among Korean Employees
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2009; 39(4): 549-561.

Published online: 31 August 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.4.549

Work-related Stress and Risk Factors among Korean Employees

Eun Sook Choi1, Yeongmi Ha2

1Full-time Lecturer, The Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.

2Doctoral Student, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Address reprint requests to: Ha, Yeongmi. School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carrington Hall, Campus Box 7460, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA. Tel: 919-943-0262, Fax: 919-966-7298, ha@email.unc.edu

Received 11 March 2009       Accepted 23 July 2009

Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

Work-related stress and risk factors among Korean employees were identified in this study.

Methods

Data were obtained from employees aged 20 to 64 using the Korean Working Conditions Survey 2006 (KWCS). Multiple logistic regression analysis using SAS version 9.1 was performed to examine risk factors of work-related stress by gender.

Results

The age-adjusted prevalence of work-related stress among male and female employees was 18.4% and 15.1% respectively. After adjustments for multiple variables among both male and female employees, there was a significant relationship between work-related stress and risk factors including education, company size, work time, ergonomic risks, biological·chemical risks, and job demands. The significant variables for male employees were housework load, occupational class, and shift work, and for female employees, type of employment.

Conclusion

There is a need to develop and support intensive stress management programs nationally giving consideration to work-related stress associated with working time, physical working environment, and job demands. Based on gender specific approaches, for male employes, stress management programs should be developed with consideration being given to occupational class and shift work. For stress management programs for female employees, consideration needs to be given to permanent employment status, specifically those in small companies.

Keywords: Employee, Stress, Risk factors, Working conditions, Work environments

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Characteristics of Korean Employees aged 20-64 yr by Gender
jkan-39-549-i001
Table 2
Unadjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) for Work-related Stress as Dependent Variable and the Risk Factors as Independent Variables among Korean Employed Men (N=3,292)
jkan-39-549-i002
Table 3
Unadjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) for Work-related Stress as Dependent Variable and the Risk Factors as Independent Variables among Korean Employed Women (N=2,242)
jkan-39-549-i003

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