Crisis Intervention for Workers in Severely Stressful Situations After Massive Layoffs and Labor Disputes / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Due to the economic crisis and globalization, many workers have been suffering from severe occupational stress due to job insecurity and struggles related to downsizing and restructuring. This study aims to assess the stress levels among workers involved in fierce labor disputes and massive layoffs and to evaluate their specific needs and satisfaction with counseling services set up to help workers cope with severely stressful situations? METHODS: The authors provided crisis intervention to workers in traumatic situations to compare the differential level of stress responses and needs among the workers remaining employed in a large auto factory, those laid off by it, and those laid off by other companies in the same region (Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province). We measured stress levels using the worker's stress response inventory (WSRI) and heart rate variability (HRV), and assessed workers' satisfaction with the counseling services. RESULTS: 502 workers participated in the program. Fifty-seven percent of them consulted with occupational problems. The mean WSRI score of the workers remaining employed in the automobile factory was higher than that of the unemployed (employed: 39.8+/-19.9, unemployed: 29.3+/-18.8). Ninety-five percent of workers responded that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the counseling services. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the urgent need for the establishment of a national crisis intervention program dedicated to supporting workers in severely stressful situations.

Work-Family Conflict and Job Satisfaction of Two-Income Family / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Work-family conflict can arise from two opposite directions: the experiences at work interfere with family life and the experiences in the family interfere with work life. This study explored the effects of the presence of two income sources on the association between work-family conflict and job attitude. METHODS: Responses to structured survey questionnaires were received from 236 two-income families living in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. RESULTS: A differential effect was observed between single-income families and two-income families. Higher job satisfaction was related with lower work interference with family (WIF) among single-income families and with lower family interference with work (FIW) among two-income families. CONCLUSIONS: Employee welfare programs need to be expanded to enhance job satisfaction for the increasing number of two-income families.

The Effect of Work Conditions on Job Stress of Social Workers / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of work conditions on job stress of social workers in Seoul. METHOD: For this survey, a self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 1,000 social workers working in all of organization for social welfare practice in Seoul. The number of responded questionnaires was 431. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for job stress as the dependent variables and control variables. RESULTS: The result of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that regular rest breaks had significantly effect on job stress level but long working hours did not. When regular rest breaks was guaranteed job stress of social workers significantly lowered 8.4 point. In addition standardized regression coefficients and partial R2 of regular rest breaks was the highest score among the variables. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that it is the most important to guarantee regular rest breaks in the work schedule in order to alleviate job stress of social workers.

The Effect of Current Problems on the Stress and Work Performance among Korean Manufacturing Industry Workers / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of workers' current problems to the perceived stress and work performance among manufacturing industry workers in Korea. METHODS: Responses to structured survey questionnaires were received from 556 workers at 7 medium-sized manufacturing factories in Gyeongsang Province. RESULTS: Among the 556 responders, health problems, job stress, and life stress showed significant effect on their perceived stress. Job stress showed significant effect on workers' lateness and early leaving, and culture & leisure problems on absenteeism. Health problems and job stress took negative effects on their job concentration difficulty. The severity of these problems were related with the desired length of retention. CONCLUSION: We proved the effect of workers' current problems to their performance. The study results will be helpful to clarify what EAP services should be considered to solve these problems at a certain organization.

Level of Job Stress among Social Workers at Social Welfare Agencies in Seoul / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the level and variation of job stress according to social welfare organizations and work conditions among social workers in Seoul. METHODS: For this survey, a self-reported questionnaire was administrated to 1,000 social workers working in organizations for social welfare practice in Seoul. A total of 432 completed questionnaires were received (43.2% response rate). RESULTS: Social workers working in welfare organizations for the aged had higher job stress in the areas of job demand, insufficient job control and lack of reward than those in other welfare organizations. In addition, higher job stress was found in those in charge of both service and administrational work, without regular time for rest, working over 10 hours, in the frontline and senior grade. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of guaranteeing regular time for breaks in the work schedule and of considering the service and administrational work ratio in job arrangement in order to alleviate stress of social workers.

The Need-Assessment of Employee Assistance Programs among Korean Manufacturing Industry Workers in Gyeongsang-do / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Employee Assistance Programs have recently been introduced to Korea as a potential solution to relieve workers's stress and improve their mental health. This study was conducted to determine the needs of EAPs among manufacturing industry workers in Gyeongsang-do Korea. METHODS: Responses to structured survey questionnaires were received from 556 workers at 7 mediumsized manufacturing factories. RESULTS: Among the 556 workers who responded to the questionnaire 'Prevention & management of work stress', 'Mental health & management of daily life stress', 'Physical exercise health promotion program'. 'Elderly care', 'Outplacement', 'Financial support for leisure activities', and 'Ensuring leisure time'were raised as the main issues and services that they expected to be provided by the company. CONCLUSION: EAPs have recently been introduced in Korean companies. The study results will be helpful to clarify the needs of individual Korean workers and to determine what EAP services should be provided.