The association between dependent self-employment and self-reported depression/anxiety and sleep disorder in South Korea

BACKGROUND: Dependent self-employment is precarious employment, which can be vulnerable to mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the association of dependent self-employment with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder in South Korea. METHODS: This study used data from the Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey and included 32,691 paid workers. Dependent self-employment and self-reported depression/anxiety, and sleep disorder were investigated using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between dependent self-employment and mental health problems. RESULTS: Of the 32,691 paid workers, 2,371 (7.3%) were dependent self-employed workers. The odds ratio (OR) of dependent self-employment for self-reported depression/anxiety was 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–2.45) and the OR of dependent self-employment for self-reported sleep disorder was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.01–1.59) compared to other paid workers. CONCLUSIONS: Dependent self-employment is related to an increased risk of self-reported depression/anxiety and sleep disorder in South Korea.

Comparison of Safety Perception between Foreign and Local Workers in the Construction Industry in Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Since the Republic of Korea became a labor-force-importing country, the number of foreign workers has increased gradually, especially in the construction industry. The main objective of this study was to examine the differences in safety perception between domestic and foreign workers at Korean construction sites. METHODS: A total of 891 Korean and foreign workers were surveyed: 140 foreign and 751 Korean workers. The general characteristics and 25 factors influencing safety perception were considered in the questionnaire. Regression and correlation analyses were conducted to examine the variables of workers' safety perception. RESULTS: Differences of nationality (F = 7.379, p < 0.001) and workplace accidents were statistically significant for both domestic (F = 1.503, p < 0.05) and foreign workers (F = 7.868, p < 0.05). In contrast, age, education, and Korean language level were significant variables only for foreign workers. Correlation coefficients of 0.428** for Korean and 0.148 for foreign workers between two items e namely, "management's commitment to safety" and "blaming staff when they make mistakes" e support the conclusion that foreign workers do not trust management's commitment to safety, while Korean workers have confidence in these commitments. CONCLUSION: Foreign workers' level of safety perception should rise to the same level as Korean workers, especially in terms of obeying safety rules, safety education performance, and safety beliefs. Therefore, an improvement plan for the Korean construction industry is suggested in order to have a better safety level at construction sites with foreign workers.

Work Sectors with High Risk for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korean Men and Women

BACKGROUND: To identify work sectors with high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Korean men and women. METHODS: We analyzed nationwide data to identify ergonomic risk factors in Korean employees. In particular, we analyzed data on exposure to five ergonomic risk factors (painful/tiring postures, lifting/moving heavy materials, standing/walking, repetitive hand/arm movements, and hand/arm vibration) according to employment sector, sex, and age, using the 2014 Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We also used workers' compensation data on work-related MSDs in 2010, which is available by sex. RESULTS: The different work sectors had different gender distributions. “Manufacturing” (27.7%) and “construction” (11.3%) were dominated by males, whereas “human health and social work activities” (12.4%), “hotel and restaurants” (11.7%), and “education” (10.4%) were dominated by females. However, “wholesale and retail trade” and “public administration and defense” employed large numbers of males and females. Furthermore, the work sectors with a greater proportion of work-related MSDs and with multiple ergonomic risk factors were different for men and women. For men, “construction” and “manufacturing” had the highest risk for work-related MSDs; for women, “hotel and restaurants” had the highest risk for work-related MSDs. CONCLUSION: Ergonomic interventions for workers should consider gender and should focus on work sectors with high risk for MSDs, with multiple ergonomic risk factors, and with the largest number of workers.

Effects of changes in occupational stress on the depressive symptoms of Korean workers in a large company: a longitudinal survey

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies on occupational stress and depression among Korean workers are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between changes in occupational stress and the presence of depression. METHODS: This study analyzed data from a survey conducted with workers in a large Korean company (2015–2016). Occupational stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, and depression was screened using the WHO-5 Well-being Index. The levels of occupational stress were grouped in quartiles based on subjects’ occupational stress scores in 2015, and changes in occupational stress were measured using the score changes between the 2015 and 2016 surveys. Subjects were divided into four groups according to the presence or absence of depression in 2015 and 2016: a non-depressed group whose mental health did not change, a non-depressed group whose mental health deteriorated, a depressed group that continued to be depressed, and a depressed group whose symptoms of depression were alleviated. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of the subjects’ deterioration in mood or alleviation of depression by occupational stress levels and changes. RESULTS: The OR for developing depressive symptoms was 2.51 (95% CI 1.46–4.33) and 2.73 (95% CI 1.39–5.36) in the third and the fourth quartiles of occupational stress, respectively, compared to the first quartile. When the occupational stress score increased by 1 point, the OR for increasing depressive symptoms was 1.07 (95% CI 1.04–1.10). There was no significant difference in the alleviation of depressive symptoms between the groups by level of occupational stress. However, when the occupational stress score decreased by 1 point, the OR for alleviating depressive symptoms was 1.08 (95% CI 1.05–1.11). CONCLUSION: The results showed that increased occupational stress increased the presence of depressive symptoms, and that reduced occupational stress suppressed the development of depressive symptoms. More attention should be paid to stress management among workers.

The Relationships among Social Support, Stress, and Loneliness in Migrant Yanbian Korean Workers / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among social support (network, composition, and satisfaction), stress, and loneliness in migrant Yanbian Korean workers. METHOD: Data were collected by using Social Support Questionnaire 6, Visual Analogue Scale, and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULT: Results indicate that means for social support were 1.52 for network size and 4.83 for satisfaction. The proportion percentage of network for kin members was 67.37. Subjects felt the moderate level of stress and loneliness. The level of loneliness was negatively related to the level of social support. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is necessity to reduce stress and loneliness among migrant Yanbian Korean workers. Adequate social support satisfaction is crucial to reduce the level of loneliness in migrant Yanbian Korean workers.