Ann Occup Environ Med.  2014 ;26(1):4-4. 10.1186/2052-4374-26-4.

Effectiveness of a Comprehensive Stress Management Program to Reduce Work-Related Stress in a Medium-Sized Enterprise

• Kim SA
• Suh C
• Park MH
• Kim K
• Lee CK
• Son BC
• Kim JH
• Lee JT
• Woo KH
• Kang K
• Jung H

• KMID: 2153889
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-26-4

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive workplace stress management program consisting of participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) and individual management.
METHODS
A comprehensive workplace stress management program was conducted in a medium-sized enterprise. The baseline survey was conducted in September 2011, using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) and Worker's Stress Response Inventory (WSRI). After implementing both organizational and individual level interventions, the follow up evaluation was conducted in November 2011.
RESULTS
Most of the workers participated in the organizational level PAOT and made Team-based improvement plans. Based on the stress survey, 24 workers were interviewed by a researcher. After the organizational and individual level interventions, there was a reduction of several adverse psychosocial factors and stress responses. In the case of blue-collar workers, psychosocial factors such as the physical environment, job demands, organizational system, lack of rewards, and occupational climate were significantly improved; in the case of white-collar workers, the occupational climate was improved.
CONCLUSIONS
In light of these results, we concluded that the comprehensive stress management program was effective in reducing work-related stress in a short-term period. A persistent long-term follow up is necessary to determine whether the observed effects are maintained over time. Both team-based improvement activities and individual interviews have to be sustainable and complementary to each other under the long-term plan.

Keyword

Health promotion; Stress/psychological; Workplace; Intervention studies; Participatory action-oriented training

MeSH Terms

Climate
Data Collection
Follow-Up Studies
Health Promotion
Intervention Studies
Psychology
Reward