Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2003 Dec;15(4):422-435.

Occupational Distribution of Job Stress in Korea

• Ju YS
• Kwon YJ
• Kang HT
• Kim YK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Although there is increasing concern about job stress, no published reports have addressed the basic characteristics of job stress (i.e. on various job stress domains), according to the Korean Standard of Job Categories. Therefore, this study was conducted to present epidemiologic data of common Korean workers on job stress domains, by using the self-reported Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire(JCQ.)
METHODS
Data were gathered from many workers at various industries for 2 years, as a part of the workers'periodic health examinations, in Kyong-Gi and Kyong-Nam provinces, Korea.
RESULTS
The total respondents were 1,866, male 1,658(88.9%) and female 208(11.1%), from 117 companies. The mean age was 35.05 years old, 1,315(70.4%) were married, 1,578(84.5%) were graduated from high school or above, and 380(20.4%) were managers at workplace. The mean scores of decision latitude, psychological job demand, social support, and job insecurity were 62.56(std 8.28, median 62), 31.45(std 3.83, median 32), 22.49(std 2.58, median 23) and 6.16(std 1.90, median 6), respectively. Construction workers belonged to the high strain group, and administrative managers and computer related experts belonged to the active group.
CONCLUSIONS
To more precisely evaluate job stress according to job categories, data could be gathered from a larger sample and detailed job categories should be adopted. Such a study would form an important foundation for research into job stress in Korea.

Keyword

Stress; Job strain model; JCQ

MeSH Terms

Data Collection
Female
Humans
Korea*
Male