Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2008 Dec;20(4):295-301.

Association between Job Stress and Alexithymic Traits

• Ryu SJ
• Kim JH
• Jang SW
• Jhun HJ
• Kim BG
• Park JT

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the association between job stress and alexithymic traits in Korean workers.
METHODS
Workers (n=521) who visited two university hospitals for medical check-ups were recruited for this study. Job stress was evaluated using the Korean version of Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and alexithymic traits were assessed using the Korean version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of job stress scales (job strain, job insecurity, and job dissatisfaction) with alexithymic traits(total TAS score > or =52) were calculated.
RESULTS
High job strain compared with low strain had a high, but insignificant association with alexithymic traits (adjusted OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 0.93-5.44). High job insecurity (adjusted OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.21-4.22), and high job dissatisfaction (adjusted OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.06-3.74) had significant associations with alexithymic traits.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that job stress is associated with alexithymic traits in workers.

Keyword

Stress; Alexithymia

MeSH Terms

Affective Symptoms
Hospitals, University
Odds Ratio
Questionnaires
Sprains and Strains
Weights and Measures