Korean Occupational Stress Scale Research Articles

The moderating effect of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in relation to occupational stress and health-related quality of life of construction workers: a cross-sectional research

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), occupational stress, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); identify the factors that affect HRQoL; and investigate the moderating effects of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL.MethodsThe participants were construction workers who had worked in the construction industry for over three months. A total of 178 construction workers voluntarily participated and anonymously completed the musculoskeletal symptoms questionnaire, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, short-form 36. The moderation effect of WMSDs on occupational stress and HRQoL were analyzed by Haye’s Process Macro Model.ResultsThe results of the study showed that 96 subjects (53.9%) had WMSDs, and the most common pain site was the lower back (33.3%). The group with WMSDs had higher occupational stress than did the group without WMSDs (p < 0.01). Compared with the group without WMSDs, the group with WMSDs displayed significant differences in HRQoL (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the factor affecting HRQoL was WMSDs (p < 0.001). In the impact of occupational stress on HRQoL, WMSDs had a significant moderating effect (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that construction workers’ WMSDs significantly impact occupational stress and HRQoL, and WMSDs have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and HRQoL. Therefore, to improve the HRQoL of workers in the construction industry, it is necessary to develop methods to reduce occupational stress and prevent and treat WMSDs.

Effect of a massage chair (BFR-M8040) on neck and shoulder pain in office workers: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundWith the increasing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, neck and shoulder pain among office workers has also increased. That said, this randomized controlled trial aimed to seek the potential effects of a massage chair (BFR-M8040) on neck and shoulder pain among office workers. MethodsThis was conducted at the Wonkwang University Gwangju Medical Center from April 2022 to December 2022. Sixty adult participants were randomly allocated. The mean age of male participants was 39.63 ± 8.09 years while female participants was 43.52 ± 8.27; women participated the most (86.67%). The control group received basic physical treatments, including a 10-min heat treatment for deep regions and a 10-min hot pack for the areas on the neck and shoulder of the complained discomfort. The experimental group received the same treatment as the control group and added 20 min of the electric massage chair's PEMF Neck Mode (XD module 3) (BFR-M8040, Bodyfriend Co., Ltd.). The participants received treatments twice per week. The primary outcome was measured using the numerical rating scale and the Korean version of the neck disability index. And the secondary outcome was measured using pressure pain threshold, range of motion, the Korean occupational stress scale, the Korean version of the Euro-quality of life-5 dimension, and safety evaluation. ResultsFifty-eight participants completed a 6-week follow-up and analyzed (29 in the control group and 29 in the experimental group). There was a significant decrease in the experiment group in both scales for primary outcome measures. For secondary outcome measures, statistically significant increases were observed in pressure pain threshold. The experimental group only showed a slight increase in the quality-of-life measures. There were no reported adverse events. ConclusionThe benefit of using a massage chair (BFR-M8040) was verified to alleviate neck and shoulder pain among office workers; future studies could involve participants from other countries for further investigation.

Job burnout among workers with different shift regularity: interactive factors between sleep, depression, and work environment.

We investigated burnout and associated factors in non-shift workers (NSWs), shift workers with regular rotating shifts (RRSWs), and shift workers with irregular or unpredictable rotating shifts (IRSWs). In total, 5,125 adult workers (1,966 NSWs, 1,936 RRSWs, and 1,223 IRSWs) participated in an online self-reported survey. Job burnout and three dimensions thereof (exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy) were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (depressive symptoms), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (subjective sleep quality), and Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) (stressful job environment) were also used. Both types of shift workers scored higher in terms of exhaustion, cynicism, and poor professional efficacy on the MBI-GS compared with NSWs after controlling for age and gender. IRSWs exhibited higher scores on the exhaustion and professional efficacy dimensions of the MBI-GS compared with RRSWs. After controlling for the CES-D and PSQI scores, we found no significant difference in cynicism among the groups. After controlling for the KOSS score, we found no significant difference in professional efficacy. All MBI-GS dimensional scores were correlated significantly with the CES-D, PSQI, and KOSS scores in all three groups. The job burnout level of rotating shift workers, especially those with irregular shifts, was higher than that of other workers. Cynicism in shift workers may be largely attributable to poor sleep or depression; the poor efficacy of shift workers may be explained by their stressful work environment.

Relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glucose in male steel industry workers: a cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between job stress and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) of male workers in a manufacturing industry. Data were collected from 5,886 male workers in a manufacturing industry who participated in the medical examination from June 19 to August 14, 2020 through self-reported questionnaires. The general characteristics of the subjects, shift work, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and job stress were included. Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) consisting of 8 items and 43 questions. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the IFG association with job stress. Among the various factors that can cause job stress, only high job demand was associated with a risk of IFG (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.82) especially in non-shift worker. For all other factors, no statistically significant results were obtained. In this study of male workers engaged in the Korean steel manufacturing industry, the 'job demand' item among job stress of non-shift worker was related to IFG.

Mediating Effects of Role Clarity between Clinical Decision-Making Abilities and Job Stress for Advanced Practice Nurses at Tertiary Hospitals

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of role clarity in the relationship between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress among advanced practice nurses at tertiary hospitals.Methods : The participants were 137 advanced practice nurses. The assessment tools were clinical decisionmaking in nursing scale, role ambiguity scale, and Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS-26). Data were analyzed with the SPSS/24.0 program and mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny methods.Results : There were significant relationships between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress (r=-.33, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.001), and role clarity and job stress (r=-.29, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.001). Role clarity showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between clinical decision-making abilities and job stress (Z=2.02, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.043).Conclusion : Therefore, to reduce advanced practice nurses’ job stress, it is necessary to develop a program and strategies to increase their clinical decision-making abilities.

Changes in intrinsic functional brain connectivity related to occupational stress of firefighters

Firefighters are exposed to physical and mental threats in the working environment that put them at risk for occupational stress and burnout. Stress responses can impact the functional interactions between brain regions involved in emotional and cognitive regulation. The objective of this study was to investigate brain functional connectivity (FC) related to occupational stress in firefighters. Male firefighters (n = 77) completed the Korean Occupational Stress Scale questionnaire on occupational stress and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. Seed-based FC analyses were conducted by setting core regions of the large-scale functional networks as seeds. Subsequent correlational analyses detected relationships between occupational stress scale scores and brain FC. The results showed that occupational stress was negatively correlated with FC between the central executive network (CEN)-related brain regions and seed regions of other networks. Additionally, occupational stress was negatively correlated with FC within the default mode network (DMN), but positively correlated with FC between the salience network (SN) and the DMN. Changes in FC in large-scale neural networks are likely involved in occupational stress responses. Taken together, these results suggest that proper management of occupational stress may help prevent the occurrence of clinical problems caused by changes in brain functional networks.

Mediating Effect of Public Service Motivation and Resilience on the Association Between Work-Related Stress and Work Engagement of Public Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective We aimed to explore the influence of public workers’ distress or viral anxiety on their level of depression and work engagement during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Additionally, we ascertain the mediation effect of resilience and public service motivation on this association. Methods A total of 300 public workers participated in this online survey. Their demographic characteristics and responses to survey items were collected using the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics–6 items Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 items Scale, the Public Service Motivation (PSM) Scale, the Nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale–Short Form, and the Brief Resilience Scale. Results Work engagement of public workers was expected by PSM (β=0.28, p<0.001), resilience (β=0.30, p<0.001), and work-related stress (β=-0.40, p<0.001) (F=57.4, p<0.001). Depression was expected by fewer years of employment (β=-0.12, p=0.02), viral anxiety (β= 0.21, p<0.001), and low resilience (β=-0.42, p<0.001) (F=22.1, p<0.001). Resilience and PSM partially mediated the effects of work-related stress on work engagement. Depression was influenced by COVID-19–induced viral anxiety, and their resilience—but not PSM—mediated the association. Conclusion Public workers’ resilience and PSM partially mediated the effects of work-related stress on work engagement. The influence of viral anxiety on public workers’ depression was mediated by their resilience but not PSM.

Effects of work stress, sleep, and shift work on suicidal ideation among female workers in an electronics company.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in young adults in Korea. Stress in the workplace affects the suicide rate; young female workers are particularly vulnerable to adverse work environments. We investigated the relationships of shift work, sleep, and work stress to suicidal ideation. This study used data from 508 female workers aged 22-40 years in an electronics company. Data on baseline characteristics, work patterns, sleep quality (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and work stress levels using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) were obtained from questionnaires. We examined associations between suicidal ideation and shift work, sleep quality, and KOSS scores. Suicidal ideation was significantly higher among shift workers (odds ratio [OR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-4.32), those with poor sleep (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.68-4.84), and those with high work stress (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.82-6.00). Both 3 × 12 h shift workers (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.35-6.57) and 4 × 8 h shift workers (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.03-4.45) had increased suicidal ideation. High work stress (OR, 11.55; 95% CI, 2.93-45.48) had stronger associations with suicidal ideation than poor sleep (OR, 3.86; 95% CI, 1.21-12.33) in shift workers. The combined effect of poor sleep and high KOSS on suicidal ideation was stronger in shift workers (OR, 13.39; 95% CI, 3.22-55.62) than day workers (OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.03-18.01). Shift workers are more vulnerable than day workers to the combination of work stress and poor sleep quality as well as to work stress alone.

Factors Associated With Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Behavior Among Office Workers Based on an Ecological Model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personal, interpersonal, and organizational factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention behavior among office workers using an ecological model. A total of 221 office workers working in areas such as personnel, design, and accounting, and who work in offices, completed the survey. Health Perception Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) Scale, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale–Short Form (KOSS-SF), and Social Environment Influencing Health form were used to measure each factor. Health perception (β = .207, p = .003), family support (β = .185, p = .005), and organizational health culture (β = .175, p = .012) were found to have a significant association with the CVD prevention behaviors of office workers. Comprehensive and multidimensional intervention is essential to enhance the CVD prevention behaviors of office workers. This study informs the development of a workplace-based intervention program to prevent CVD among office workers.

Relevance of Job Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in New Fire Officials: Focus on Mediating Effect of Depression

This study investigated the mediating effect of depression on the correlation of job stress, depression, and suicidal ideation among 1,331 new fire officials who have worked below three years. For analysis, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised were used. First, we examined the mental health status of new fire officials and analyzed the correlation between job stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. The data were analyzed using the multiple regression analysis method to verify the mediating effect of depression on the correlation between job stress and suicidal ideation. The study found that job stress of new fire officials was positively correlated with depression and suicidal ideation. Depression has a positive correlation with suicidal ideation. When the mediating effect of depression was considered, depression was a partial mediator variable between job stress and suicidal ideation. These results suggest that more efficient and timely treatment in a preventive way will help new fire officials reduce job stress and depression. Moreover, it will be more effective to establish a counterplan for suicide prevention for fire officials.

Perspectives on Professional Burnout and Occupational Stress among Medical Oncologists: A Cross-sectional Survey by Korean Society for Medical Oncology (KSMO).

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of burnout and occupational stress among medical oncologists in Korea.Materials and MethodsA survey was conducted of medical oncologists who were members of Korean Society for Medical Oncology (KSMO) using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and supplemental questions about work and lifestyle factors.ResultsAmong 220 active KSMO members, 111 responses were collected. The median age was 42 years (range, 32 to 63 years). Two-thirds of responders worked 6 days per week and half of them worked a total of 60-80 hours per week. Each medical oncologist treated a median of 90-120 patients per week in outpatient clinics and 20-30 patients per week in patient practices. MBI subscales indicated a high level of emotional exhaustion in 74%, a high level of depersonalization in 86%, and a low level of personal accomplishment in 65%: 68% had professional burnout according to high emotional exhaustion and high depersonalization scores. The risk of burnout was higher for medical oncologists aged from 30-39 than 40-49 years, and unmarried than married. Considering personal accomplishment, females had a higher risk of burnout. The median score of occupational stress was 63 (range, 43 to 88). Having night-duty call was the strongest risk factor on more stress. A higher stress score was associated with a higher prevalence of burnout.ConclusionBurnout and occupational stress are quite common amongst Korean medical oncologists. Achieving a healthy work-life balance, ensuring balanced workload distribution, and engaging in proper stress relief solutions are necessary.

Link Between Migration Status and Occupational Health and Safety of Filipino Migrant Workers in South Korea

With its offer of competitive compensation and attractive employment permit system (EPS), South Korea has recently experienced an influx of migrant workers. There has been a concomitant rise in the concerns about the health and safety of migrant (especially undocumented) workers as well. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of work-related health and safety problems among Filipino migrant workers and determine the relationship between migration status and occupational health and safety (OHS) problems. We conducted a survey of 116 Filipino migrant workers, both legal and undocumented. We utilized the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and a validated health and safety questionnaire to assess the various forms of occupational health problems they face. A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to cross-validate information from the questionnaire. Descriptive data were presented in percentages, mean, and standard deviation (SD). Chi-squares tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the degree of association between variables (P &lt; 0.05). Among the eight subscales of KOSS, inadequate social support (2.48), organizational injustice (2.57), and lack of reward (2.52) were experienced by workers. There was a 44.83% prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with the arm/elbow having the highest rate, followed by the shoulder and low back regions. Inadequate social support and discomfort in organizational climate and overall MSDs prevalence showed significant relationships with migration status (P &lt; 0.05). A significant relationship between migration status and some of the OHS problems faced by Filipino migrant workers in Korea was observed. In this study, undocumented workers were seen to be more vulnerable to stressors as compared to those employed legally.

The association between Antonovsky's sense of coherence and job stress among dental hygienists in Korea.

High stress levels experienced by medical professionals are a well-established phenomenon in current literature. However, there are few studies focusing on stress experienced in the field of oral health or on the sense of coherence (SOC) that helps to actively respond to job stress. The purpose of this study was to analyse if there is an association between SOC and job stress among dental hygienists in Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 441 dental hygienists in the Seoul Gyeonggi province, Korea. The independent variable was SOC which had three dimensions: comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness. The dependent variable was job stress, which was evaluated using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale Short Form. Confounding factors were age, marital status, educational background, type of hospital, and work experience. The chi-square test and t test measures were used for bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the association between SOC and job stress. The collected data were statistically analysed using SPSS version 22.0. The SOC score showed a significant difference in relation to the job stress score. The SOC score was high when the job stress was low (P<.001). Overall SOC scores showed an inverse correlation with job stress. This study reports that a higher SOC is associated with lower job stress in Korean dental hygienists. Since a higher SOC in dental hygienists indicated that they could cope with job stress more positively, it is important to increase their SOC.

Secondary Data Analysis on the Quality of Sleep and Related Factors of Novice and Experienced Shift Work Nurses

The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of sleep in novice and experienced shift work nurses and compare the factors associated with their quality of sleep. We analyzed the data of 192 and 256 novice and experienced nurses, respectively. The quality of sleep, sleep hygiene, job stress, and fatigue were measured using Insomnia Severity Index, Sleep Hygiene Practice Scale, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 to calculate descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Sleep quality was lower in experienced nurses (12.55 ± 5.71) than in novice nurses (11.18 ± 5.78). Fatigue was more severe in experienced nurses (4.47 ± 1.13) than in novice nurses (4.23 ± 1.12). In the logistic regression, factors related to sleep quality in novice nurses were sleep hygiene (odds ratio; OR = 1.06, p < .001) and fatigue (OR = 2.49, p < .001). Factors related to sleep quality in the experienced nurses were also sleep hygiene (OR = 1.04, p = .001) and fatigue (OR = 1.53, p = .012). Sleep quality of experienced nurses is lower than those of novice nurses. Factors associated with sleep quality in novice and experienced nurses are equally identified as sleep hygiene and fatigue. Therefore, personal efforts to improve sleep hygiene, such as providing comfortable sleep environment, are needed. Furthermore, organized efforts to decrease fatigue, such as constructing a working environment with a bright light at night and providing a fatigue-decreasing program that includes meditation, are required.

Relationship between physical activity and job stress among public office workers.

[Purpose] This study investigated the relationship between physical activity and job stress among public office workers. [Participants and Methods] We examined the levels of physical activity and job stress of 488 male public officers in Seoul-city, Republic of Korea through self-reported questionnaires. The International Physical Activity Questionnaires and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale were used to evaluate physical activity and job stress, respectively. The level of physical activity was divided into three quantiles (low, moderate, high). [Results] We found no significant difference in job stress by physical activity level. Although a positive correlation between physical activity and job stress was found in the organizational system category, no significant difference was found in the categories of the physical environment, job demand, insufficient job control, interpersonal conflict, job insecurity, lack of reward, and occupational climate. [Conclusion] There was no apparent correlation between physical activity and job stress among public office workers.

Secondary Data Analysis on the Factors Influencing Premenstrual Symptoms of Shift Work Nurses: Focused on the Sleep and Occupational Stress

This study aimed to examine premenstrual symptoms (PMS) of shift nurses and identify the association between PMS, sleep, and occupational stress. This study was conducted with a secondary data analysis that used data from the Shift Work Nurse's Health and Turnover study. The participants were 258 nurses who were working in shifts including night shifts. PMS, sleep patterns (sleep time and sleep time variability), sleep quality, and the occupational stress of each participant were measured using the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, a sleep diary, an actigraph, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and STATA 15.1 to obtain descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and Baron and Kenny's mediating analysis. The average PMS score, average sleep time, average sleep time variability, average sleep quality score, and average occupational stress score of the participants was 53.95 ± 40.45, 7.52 ± 0.89 hours, 32.84 ± 8.43%, 12.34 ± 5.95, and 49.89 ± 8.98, respectively. A multiple linear regression analysis with GEE indicated that sleep time variability (B = 0.86, p = .001), and sleep quality (B = 2.36, p < .001) had negative effects on nurses' PMS. We also found that sleep quality had a complete mediating effect in the relationship between occupational stress and PMS. These findings indicate that both sleep time variability and sleep quality are important factors associated with PMS among shift work nurses. To improve shift nurses' PMS status, strategies are urgently needed to decrease sleep time variability and increase sleep quality.

Longitudinal associations between occupational stress and depressive symptoms.

BackgroundMost of the studies that have examined the association between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms have used cross-sectional data. However, our study has longitudinally measured the occupational stress and depressive symptoms of Korean workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company across six years to intending to investigate the associations between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data.MethodsData collected from the workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company. Out of 1,013 recruited workers, 405 (40.0%) completed the survey questionnaires at 3 and 6-year follow-ups. Occupational stress was measured using a shorter version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptoms Scale (CES-D). The data of male and female participants independently analyzed. Longitudinal associations were analyzed using panel data analysis with fixed effects.ResultsIn panel data analysis with fixed effects, job insecurity (B = 0.048, p-value = 0.004) was associated with depressive symptoms among male workers. In female workers, inadequate social support (B = 0.080, p-value < 0.001), job insecurity (B = 0.039, p-value = 0.004), lack of reward (B = 0.059, p-value = 0.004) and discomfort in occupational climate (B = 0.074, p-value < 0.001) were associated with depressive symptoms among female workers.ConclusionsTemporal changes in the sub-factors of occupational stress were associated with changes in depressive symptoms within the same period. There was a gender difference in occupational stress sub-factors related to depressive symptoms.

A study of job stress, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in display manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between job stress and suicide ideation/attempts among display manufacturing workers.MethodsData were collected from 836 workers in a display manufacturing company who participated in health screenings from May 22 to June 16, 2017. The data included general characteristics, night work, job tenure, previous physician-diagnosed chronic diseases, suicidal ideation/suicide attempts, and job stress. We investigated suicidal ideation/suicide attempts that covered the past year by using a self-reported questionnaire. Job stress was measured using the 43-item Korean Occupational Stress Scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between job stress and suicidal ideation/suicide attempts. The mediator effect of depression on suicidal ideation/suicide attempts was tested using a series of logistic regression by applying Baron and Kenny's mediation method.ResultsIn the model adjusting for variables (e.g., age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, shift work, job tenure, chronic disease and depression), physical environment (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.08–12.02), lack of reward (OR: 5.31, 95% CI: 1.54–18.34), and occupation climate (OR: 7.36, 95% CI: 2.28–23.72) were correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts in women. However, all subscales of job stress were not significantly correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts in men. In mediation analysis, job instability and occupational climate were correlated with suicidal ideation/suicide attempts and were mediated by depression in men workers.ConclusionsIn women workers, the experiences of suicidal ideation/suicide attempts were significantly correlated with the physical environment, lack of reward, and occupational climate that were subscales of job stress. In men workers, depression rather than job stress was correlated with experiences of suicidal ideation/suicide attempts.

Effects of job stress on symptoms of bipolar spectrum disorder in an electronic parts manufacturing company.

BackgroundMental illness is known to be caused by genetic, biological, and environmental risk factors. Although previous studies have established the link between mental illness and job stress, most of them are limited to major depression disorder. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between job stress and bipolar spectrum disorder (BSD).MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted in April 2017 at an electronic parts manufacturing company in Busan. In a total of 441 workers, the degree of BSD was identified using the Korean version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, and the degree of job stress was identified using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale Short Form. This study also identified general characteristics of workers and job-related factors. The χ2 test and Fisher's exact test was conducted to determine the differences among the variables, based on BSD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of independent variables on BSD.ResultsCross-analysis showed significant differences between the BSD high-risk and low-risk groups regarding age, sex, occupation, smoking, problem drinking, job stress total score, occupational climate, and major depression disorder symptom. In addition, the significant differences between the BSD high-risk and low-risk groups about job stress were observed in terms of job demand, job insecurity, and occupational climate. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the high-risk group in the job stress group had a higher effect on BSD than the low-risk group (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–4.88). Among the categories of job stress, high-risk groups in 3 areas—job demand (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.27–5.17), job insecurity (OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.19–16.42), and occupational climate (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.29–5.05)—were more likely to have an impact on BSD than the low-risk groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the high-risk groups of job stress total score, job demand, job insecurity, and occupational climate had a more significant effect on BSD than the low-risk groups. As workers with BSD may have difficulties in their work and personal lives, there is a need to manage job stress to prevention of BSD.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Mobile App-Based Stress-Management Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Improving mental healthcare using mobile apps might be an effective way to increase interest in mental health and respond to the demand for better psychological health. However, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of app-based stress-management programs. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an app-based stress-management program. A non-equivalent comparison group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were randomized into the experimental (n = 26) and control (n = 30) groups. The experimental group used an application developed for workers for four weeks. The results indicated that stress, emotional labor, self-efficacy, and well-being were significantly different in the experimental group, but the control group’s average scores did not change significantly. On average, the Perceived Stress Scale scores decreased by 1.5 points (p = 0.035) and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale scores decreased by 0.87 points (p = 0.4). However, depression and anxiety were not significantly different. Emotional labor decreased by 0.16 points (p = 0.027), and well-being and self-efficacy mean scores increased by 0.492 (p = 0.005) and 0.162 (p = 0.025), respectively. These findings support the developed application’s value for promoting mental health and healthy lifestyles. Further research and supplementation are needed for the application’s sustainability.