Korean Workers Research Articles

The influence of post-traumatic stress on the intention to leave among Korean child welfare workers

Abstract Background and aims Previous research have highlighted the challenges faced by social workers who are exposed to traumatic events, such as client violence, and vicarious traumas. These experiences often lead social workers to leave their agencies. However, it is commonly assumed that child welfare workers are immune to such experiences as they primarily work with non-violent children. This study aims to investigate whether post-traumatic stress among Korean child welfare workers influences their intention to leave, and whether peer support and organizational culture mediate this relationship. Methods A total of 246 participants were recruited in 2021 through purposive sampling. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a self-administered online survey method was employed. Only workers who reported direct and/or indirect traumatic experiences at their workplaces were included in the final analysis. Structural equation modeling was utilized to examine the relationships among variables in this study. Results While organizational culture had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between post-traumatic stress and intention to leave, peer support did not show a significant effect. This suggests that fostering a supportive organizational climate may be crucial in reducing work-related stress, including post-traumatic stress. It also highlights the need for social work administrators to actively promote such climates to prevent turnover within the child welfare workforce. Discussion and conclusions The findings of this study suggests that child welfare organizations can take proactive measures to address this issue. Creating a supportive organizational culture that fosters resilience and provides resources for coping with post-traumatic stress is crucial. Organizations may explore additional strategies for reducing workforce turnover, which will have negative effects on their clients and organizations as well. Key messages • Fostering a supportive organizational climate may be crucial in reducing work-related stress, including post-traumatic stress. • Child welfare organizations may explore additional strategies for reducing workforce turnover, which will have negative effects on their clients and organizations as well.

Mediating role of burnout on the association between work-related boredom and insomnia among Korean wage workers.

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the mediating role of burnout in the relationship between work-related boredom and insomnia among Korean workers. Data from 30,992 wage workers in the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey were analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for insomnia according to work-related boredom were estimated using a survey-weighted logistic regression model. A mediation analysis was performed with burnout as the mediator. The survey-weighted logistic regression model revealed that work-related boredom was significantly associated with an increased risk of insomnia. In the mediation model, both the total and direct association of work-related boredom on insomnia were statistically significant. Moreover, the indirect association, mediated by burnout, was also significant, accounting for 23.38% of the total association. Our findings burnout may play a mediating role between work-related boredom and insomnia.

Association between the safety climate and occupational injury in the Korean working population: a cross-sectional study.

Preventing occupational injuries remains a significant challenge in Korea. A positive safety climate can contribute to reducing workplace injuries. However, the impact of safety climate on preventing occupational injuries among the Korean workforce has not been adequately explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the perceived safety climate and occupational injuries within the Korean working population. This study used baseline data from the Korean Work, Sleep, and Health Study (KWSH). The safety climate was measured using the brief version of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire. Occupational injury was determined by whether injuries or accidents had occurred at workplaces in the past year. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the safety climate and occupational injury. Participants who reported an unfavorable workplace safety climate were more likely to experience occupational injuries. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for occupational injuries in an unfavorable safety climate was 2.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-3.51) compared to a favorable safety climate. Specifically, factors such as "not encouraging employees to follow safety rules when on a tight schedule" (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.25-3.24) and "not helping each other work safely" (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.17-3.25) were significantly associated with occupational injuries. An unfavorable safety climate was associated with increased occupational injuries among Korean workers. Improving the safety climate in the workplace may reduce occupational injuries in Korea.

Risks of Circulatory Diseases among Korean Radiation Workers Exposed to Low-dose Radiation.

High-dose radiation has been widely recognized as a risk factor for circulatory diseases. There is increasing evidence for risk of circulatory diseases in response to low and moderate radiation doses in recent years, but the results are not always consistent. We aimed to evaluate the associations between low-dose radiation exposure (<0.1 Gy) and the incidence of circulatory disease in a large cohort of Korean radiation workers. We collected data from a cohort of 187,001 radiation workers monitored for personal radiation dose since 1984 and linked with the National Health Insurance Service data from 2002 to 2021. Excess relative risks (ERRs) per 100 mGy were calculated to quantify the radiation dose-response relationship. The mean duration of follow-up was 13.3 years. A total of 12,705 cases of cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) and 19,647 cases of ischemic heart disease (IHD) were diagnosed during the follow-up period (2002-2021). The average cumulative heart dose was 4.10 mGy, ranging from 0 to 992.62 mGy. The ERR per 100 mGy with 10-year lagged cumulative heart doses was estimated at -0.094 (95% CI -0.248, 0.070) for CeVD and -0.173 (95% CI -0.299, -0.041) for IHD. The ERRs were not significantly changed after adjusting for confounding factors such as smoking, income, blood pressure, body mass index, and blood glucose level. A linear quadratic model was found to provide a better fit for the ERR of CeVD and IHD than a linear model (P = 0.009 and 0.030, respectively). There were no statistically significant variations in ERR/100 mGy estimates for either CeVD or IHD in terms of sex, attained age, and duration of employment; however, heterogeneity in the ERR/100 mGy estimates for CeVD among occupations was observed (P = 0.001). Our study did not find conclusive evidence supporting the association between occupational low-dose radiation and an increased risk of circulatory diseases. The significant negative ERR estimates for IHD need further investigation with a more extended follow-up period.

Differential associations of physical job demands with cognitive impairment in Korean workers aged 45 and older: a 14-year longitudinal study using the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA)

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between subelements of physical job demands and cognitive impairment risk in middle-aged and older workers in Korea.DesignLongitudinal study using eight waves (2006–2020) of the Korean Longitudinal...

Leveraging AdaNet for In-Depth Analysis of Hypertension Medication Adherence in 1,512 Middle-Aged Male Korean Workers

Leveraging AdaNet for In-Depth Analysis of Hypertension Medication Adherence in 1,512 Middle-Aged Male Korean Workers

The role of supervisor support in the association between night work and depressive symptoms: a gender-stratified analysis of 22,422 full-time wage workers in South Korea.

This study investigated the relationship between night work, supervisor support, and depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with a focus on gender differences. A nationwide sample of 22,422 full-time wage workers from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021) was analyzed. Experiences of night work were categorized into 5 groups based on the number of night work days per month: 0, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 16-31. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index. Supervisor support was assessed with 5 items. Workers who engaged in 1-5 days (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.36) and 6-10 days (PR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.30) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those without night work. After stratifying by supervisor support levels, workers with 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15 days of night work per month were more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those without night work in the low supervisor support group. In contrast, no association was found between night work (≥ 6 days) and depressive symptoms in the high supervisor support group. Furthermore, gender differences were notable: female workers with 6-10 days (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.23-1.70), and 11-15 days (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.08-1.90) of night work per month exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, whereas their male counterparts did not. This pattern of gender difference was also found among those with low supervisor support. Supervisor support may mitigate the adverse effects of night work on depressive symptoms among full-time wage workers, with differences manifested across genders.

Financial Sustainability of Social Insurance: The Case of Korean Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Possibility of Triple Moral Hazard

Abstract This study examines the economic stability of Korean Workers’ Compensation Insurance (WCI), highlighting the system’s vulnerability to triple moral hazard. Korean WCI features more generous worker compensation, lower employer premiums, and more active government involvement in accident prevention in addition to a higher industrial accident rate, compared to the system in Germany and Japan. The negotiation process of the WCI among workers, employers, and insurance managers often prioritizes short-term benefits, undermining long-term financial health. Workers seek greater compensation, employers push for lower premiums, and insurance managers may prioritize collective interests, exacerbating the system’s economic instability. Over recent years, applications for occupational disease recognition have surged, and premium rates have decreased, indicating increasing strain. To mitigate these issues, the study proposes enhancing transparency and rationality, involving non-political experts in decision-making, and clearly defining the government’s role in managing WCI. These measures aim to balance stakeholder interests and ensure the WCI system’s sustainability for future generations.

Association and interaction effect of shift work and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea on diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Korean workers.

To investigate the association of shift work and the risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the interaction effect of shift work and the risk for OSA on DM. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2019-2021 were used. The participants were 3012 employees aged 40 to 59 years. Shift work was assessed using self-reporting questionnaires. The risk for OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG score. The distribution of demographic factors was calculated using the chi-square test. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. An interaction effect between shift work and the risk for OSA on DM was evaluated using relative excess risk owing to interaction (RERI) and attributable proportion (AP) with 95% CIs. The synergic index (SI) was also calculated. Shift work and the risk for OSA were each significantly associated with DM. There was also a significant interaction effect between shift work and the risk for OSA on DM. The RERI was 0.543 (95% CI 0.205-1.361) and the AP was 0.230 (95% CI 0.145-0.342). The SI was 1.662 (95% CI 1.481-1.843). There was an association and a significant interaction effect of shift work and the risk for OSA on DM. The management of OSA in shift workers should be implemented to prevent DM.

Impact of sarcopenia on falls, mobility limitation, and mortality using the diagnostic criteria proposed in the Korean Working Group on Sarcopenia guideline.

The recent published Korean Working Group on Sarcopenia (KWGS) guideline includes the concept of functional sarcopenia. The study investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with health-related adverse outcomes defined by the KWGS in community-dwelling older adults. Data were sourced from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging, focusing on Koreans 65 aged and above. The definitions of sarcopenia and functional sarcopenia followed the KWGS. The risks of falls, mobility limitation, and death were analyzed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard. Of the 594 participants, 145 (24.4%) were classified as having functional sarcopenia and 129 (12.0%) with sarcopenia. Both showed an increased prevalence with age. Functional sarcopenia had higher risks of mobility limitation [odds ratio (OR) 3.461, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.956-6.121] and mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.775, 95% CI 1.229-2.564]. Sarcopenia was associated with falls [OR 7.376, 95% CI 1.500-36.272], mobility limitation [OR 2.057, 95% CI 1.172-3.611] and mortality [HR 1.512, 95% CI 1.054-2.169]. Functional sarcopenia is a prevalent condition that is associated with mobility limitation and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. This highlights the clinical relevance of functional sarcopenia and supports its inclusion in sarcopenia diagnosis.

보건·의료계열 종사자의 정신적 웰빙을 저해하는 산업안전 유해요인 분석 - 의사, 간호사, 의료기사를 중심으로

The industrial safety of health and medical workers who struggling on the front lines of diseases and disasters to protect public health and life, is threatened by working environment hazard factors that damage health. Despite they are exposing to hazard factors and accumulating mental well-being risks frequently, the social discussions and national efforts for their health were insufficient due to complacent perceptions that “They would be safe from occupational diseases and industrial accidents because of the working environment characteristic that set as medical work”. Korean society needs to enhance the importance of industrial safety because if the mental well-being risk of health and medical workers is not healed in proper time, the deterioration of work engagement can harm personal health and patient life and threat public health and cause a national crisis. Therefore, this study analyzed occupational safety hazard factors that hinder health and medical worker's mental well-being focusing on doctor, nurse, medical technician based on Rutter's ‘Cumulated Risk Model’ that explaining the more accumulate of exposure to simultaneous risk factors, the greater ripple effect of human's internalization and externalization problem. The multiple regression analysis were performed with SPSS Statistics 29.0 for 749 health and medical workers who attended the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey published by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Research. As a result, the health and medical worker's mental well-being were hindered whey they exposure to occupational safety hazard factors, emotional labor and quantitative labor intensity were finally verified as occupational safety hazard factors that threatened the mental well-being of them. Based on the results, this study suggested ① services and policies to effectively counter occupational safety hazard factors that hinder the health and medical worker's mental well-being, ② prevention and solution plan about exposure problem to occupational safety hazard factors, ③ customized strategies to promote health and medical workers' mental well-being.

Правовое регулирование деятельности трудовых иммигрантов-корейцев российским императорским правительством в годы Первой мировой войны (на английском)

The article analyzes the conditions of labor migration of ethnic Koreans from Manchuria and China to the Urals of the Russian Empire in 1915—1916, and their experience of interaction with the local Russian authorities. The research is based on the archival materials of the State Archive of the Sverdlovsk region (GASO). This article focuses on the legal and social status of the Korean laborers, their living conditions, habitat, and local conflicts. The study draws on theoretical insights from a range of works on immigration, and the political and economic integration of immigrants. With the onset of World War I, conscription into the Russian Imperial Army drained the manpower reserves, especially in the industries in the Urals. Some industries were under threat of permanent closure. The local tsarist administration petitioned the Foreign Ministry to employ Chinese and Korean laborers in these regions. The results of the research show that the Imperial government did not have a coherent structural plan for the accommodation of Eastern immigrant workers. The government largely improvised, regulating the migration process by issuing various decrees aimed at creating a legal basis for the immigrants. The findings also contradict the earlier Soviet historiography hypothesis about the widespread oppression of ethnic minorities in the Russian Empire. Unlike the Chinese workers who eventually left Russia for Manchuria, the Korean workers chose to stay in Russia after their contractual obligations expired and enjoyed the same rights and privileges as local Russian workers. The research reveals evidence of mistreatment of Korean workers; however, the wrongdoers were local Russian Korean merchants who acted as intermediaries between the local administration and the hired Korean immigrant workers.

Association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms: results from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey and the European Working Conditions Telephone Survey.

Marginal part-time workers, working less than 15hours per week, are a vulnerable working population. We investigated the association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms in Korea and European countries to suggest policy implications. This study used data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) from 2020 to 2021 and European Working Conditions Telephone Survey (EWCTS) in 2021. For the KWCS, 31 789 participants were included in the analysis, and for the EWCTS, 59 070 participants were analyzed. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WBI-5). A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms with KWCS and EWCTS data. In Korea, there was a statistically significant association between depressive symptoms and marginal part-time work. On the other hand, in European countries, the association was not remarkable. Low income and employment instability partially mediated the relationship between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms in Korea. Conclusions. Korean marginal part-time workers face systemic discrimination related to job insecurity and financial rewards, which appear to contribute to depressive symptoms.

Food Manufacturing Workers and Structural Causality among Work Environment, Work–Family Conflict, Musculoskeletal Pain, Sleep-Related Problems, and Burnout

This study analyzes the association and structural causality among work environment, work–family conflict, musculoskeletal pain, sleep-related problems, and burnout in the food manufacturing industry. This study used the 6th Korean Working Environment Survey data, and 523 food production workers were selected as research subjects. Structural equation modeling showed that work environment and work–family conflict significantly affected musculoskeletal pain. In addition, work–family conflict and musculoskeletal pain affected sleep-related problems, and musculoskeletal pain and sleep-related problems impacted burnout. Furthermore, this research provides practical strategies to deal with musculoskeletal pain, sleep-related issues, and burnout. Burnout is more affected by sleep-related problems than by musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, sleep-related problems seem to be more affected by musculoskeletal pain than by work–family conflict. Meanwhile, musculoskeletal pain is influenced by the work environment rather than by work–family conflict. This result can be used to establish preventive policies for the safety and health of food manufacturing production workers.

Shift work and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in young, healthy workers

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a relatively common disease, and preventing its occurrence is important for both individual health and reducing social costs. Shift work is reported to have several negative effects on health. An association has been observed between NAFLD and both sleep time and quality; however, this association remains unclear in night shift workers. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between shift work and the incidence of NAFLD. Overall, 45,149 Korean workers without NAFLD were included at baseline. NAFLD was defined as the presence of a fatty liver observed on ultrasonography without excessive alcohol use. incidence rate ratios for incident NAFLD were estimated using negative binomial regression according to age groups (20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s). In the 20s age group, shift work showed a significant incidence rate ratio (IRR) for NAFLD in all models. After adjusting for all variables, the IRR (95% confidence interval) was 1.24 (1.08–1.43) in the 20s age group. In their 20s, a significant association between shift work and incident NAFLD was consistently observed among women and workers with poor sleep quality. In this large-scale cohort study, shift work was significantly associated with the development of NAFLD among young workers in their 20s.

Data resource profile: the Korean Workers' Compensation-National Health Insurance Service (KoWorC-NHIS) cohort.

The KoWorC-NHIS cohort was established to investigate the longitudinal health outcomes of Korean workers who have been compensated for occupational injuries or diseases. This cohort study, which utilized data spanning from 2004 to 2015, merged workers' compensation insurance claim data with the National Health Insurance Database (NHID), encompassing 858,793 participants. The data included sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, income, address, insurance type, and disability grade. It also covered the types of occupational accidents, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes for diseases or accidents, work tenure, industry, occupation code, and company size. Additional details such as the occupational hire date, date of claim, date of recognition, and affected body parts were recorded. The cohort predominantly consisted of male workers (80%), with the majority experiencing their first occupational accident in their 40s (27.6%) or 50s (25.3%). Notably, 93.1% of the cases were classified as occupational injuries. By integrating this data with that from the NHID, updates on health utilization, employment status, and income changes were made annually. The follow-up period for this study is set to conclude in 2045.

Association of low-quality employment with the development of suicidal thought and suicide planning in workers: A longitudinal study in Korea

BackgroundEmployment quality stands as a crucial social determinant impacting workers’ health. In this study, we investigate the association between low-quality employment and the emergence of suicidal thoughts and planning. MethodsWe analyzed data from 7,797 Korean workers, amounting to 30,945 observations. Low-quality employment was characterized by three primary dimensions: employment insecurity, income inadequacy, and a lack of rights and protection. We employed a generalized estimating equation to probe the link between experiencing low-quality employment and the occurrence of suicidal thought and planning within the subsequent year. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. ResultsThe overall incidence rates for suicidal thought and planning were 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively, across the observations. Workers with the lowest employment quality demonstrated higher propensities to develop both suicidal thought (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.37–3.06) and planning (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.08–10.64) at the following year, compared with workers with the highest overall employment quality. Specifically, daily employment exhibited associations with the onset of suicidal thought (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.17–2.31) and suicide planning (OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 1.54–7.92) when compared to permanent employment. Additionally, individuals in the lowest monthly wage quartile displayed a heightened likelihood of developing suicidal thought (OR: 2.09, CI: 1.36–3.23) compared with those in the highest quartile. ConclusionOur findings suggest that low-quality employment is associated with the onset of suicidal thought and suicide planning at follow-up. Therefore, employment quality is a critical social determinant of workers' mental health.

Change management, performance feedback, and public service motivation: cultivating change-oriented behaviour in public organisations

ABSTRACT Performance improvement entails change. This article links change-oriented organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB), or employee efforts to address procedural deficiencies and optimise behavioural routines to improve individual performance, to change management and performance feedback. Change management captures an organisation’s openness to, tolerance of, and success with change. In contrast, performance feedback is provisioned directly to workers by their superiors. I argue that both processes will drive change-oriented OCB. Second, I implicate public service motivation (PSM) in the change process, arguing that PSM has both a direct effect on change-oriented OCB, and also amplifies the effects of both change management and performance feedback. I test and find empirical support for my theoretical model using a large sample of Korean public sector workers. Based on these results, I argue that sustained, performance-enhancing change is most likely when embedded as a core organisational value and embraced by those with the strongest desire to see the organisation succeed.

Higher anxiety level and associated work-related factors of delivery workers in South Korea: from the 6th Korean working conditions survey.

This study investigates anxiety risk and work-related factors among platform workers. The recent growth in the platform industry is a worldwide trend, with delivery workers in Korea representing typical platform workers. This cross-sectional study used the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey to assess anxiety risk among 532 delivery workers compared to general employees. It identified associations between work-related factors and anxiety, including job demands and autonomy, legal protection, and emotional labor. Delivery workers exhibited significantly higher anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-2.28) and work-related anxiety (OR = 2.17 95% CI = 1.48-3.18) risk than the general workforce, and a significantly higher risk of having unfavorable work environment factors. Their anxiety risk was significantly associated with work-related factors, such as long shifts, quick return, time pressure, job stress, absence of union, work-family conflict, and emotional labor. This study identified high levels of anxiety among Korean delivery workers and associated occupational factors. It highlights the importance for industry and government interventions to enhance mental health support, mitigate poor employment conditions, and ensure legal safeguards.

Association Between Organizational Downsizing and Depressive Symptoms Among Korean Workers: A Cross-sectional Analysis

BackgroundOrganizational downsizing may be significantly linked to depressive symptoms, yet research on this impact in Asian contexts is limited. This study investigates the association between downsizing during the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms across diverse employment statuses. MethodsThis study used the data from 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Depressive symptoms were measured using WHO-5 well-being index with a cut-off of 50. Downsizing was defined as decrease in the number of employees during last three years. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic and occupational factors was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for depressive symptoms associated with downsizing, including subgroup analyses. ResultsAmong 26,247 Korean workers (mean age: 43.4, men: 47.5%), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29.5% (n = 7,751), and the proportion of downsizing was 15.2% (n = 3,978). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among the downsizing group (36.7%, n = 1,460) than among the no-downsizing group (28.3%, n = 6,291). The result of logistic regression revealed a significant association between downsizing and depressive symptoms (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.39 [1.29–1.50]), particularly pronounced among high socioeconomic status workers. ConclusionThis study underscores the significant association between depressive symptoms and organizational downsizing, especially high vulnerability of socioeconomically advantaged and stable workers. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health support and further longitudinal research to clarify the relationship between employment changes and mental health within the Korean workforce.