Stress Related Factors of Physically Disabled Workers in Manufacturing Industry

Jung, Min Ye; Park, Chung Yill; Koo, Jung Wan; Roh, Young Man

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to measure the stress level of physically disabled workers, and to investigate the relationship between the stress dimensions and stress inducing factors of physically disabled workers in the Korean manufacturing industry.
METHODS
The sample used in this study consisted of 341 physically disabled workers who had been working at companies in Seoul, Inchon, and Gyung-gi provinces. The Psycho-social Well-being Index (PWI), a modified version of Goldberg's 60-items of General Health Questionnaire (GHS), was used to measure the stress level. The following independent and moderate variables were designed for the same purpose. The independent variables were general and disability characteristics, workplace-related characteristics, and job stressor of the respondents. The other variables included organization-related stressors (social and family support) and person related stressors (needs and values, type A behavior pattern, locus of control and demographics), self-esteem and coping strategy. The collected data were analyzed using SAS version 6.12 program.
RESULTS
Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the significant variables on the stress level of physically disabled workers were poor self-perceived health status, low self-esteem, absence of regular exercise, physically disabled condition affecting work performance capability, dependent mobility at home, interpersonal conflict, role conflict and A type behavior pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that appropriate health promotion program should be established and provided for reducing the stress of physically disabled workers in the manufacturing industry. In addition, various vocational programs for decreasing interpersonal and role conflicts should be developed.