Psychosocial Stress Levels and Related Factors in some Rural Residents / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the levels of psychosocial stress and to identify its related factors in some rural residents. METHODS: The study subjects were 1,806 adults aged 40-70 years living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. Sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, social support and personality were collected for statistical analysis. The measurement instrument of psychosocial stress was psychosocial well-being index. The differences on the stress levels between groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that 16.6% of subjects were categorized as high stress, 63.4% as moderate, and 20.0% as normal. Overall, the mean value of PWI was 17.2+/-9.8 and significantly different by socioeconomic characteristics, health-related behavior, social support and personality. In the case of men, the PWI was significantly deteriorated in the cases of nondrinker or other subjects with no job, lower household income, decreased positive social support, increased negative social support, type A behavior pattern, decrease of internal locus of control or poorer self-esteem. In the case of women, the PWI was significantly deteriorated in the subjects with no job, no spouse, decreased positive social support, increased negative social support, type A behavior pattern, decrease of internal locus of control or poorer self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The psychosocial stress for rural residents was related with social support and personality. Thus, these results should be considered to reduce stress levels in rural adults.