Health Policy Manag.  2022 Jun;32(2):180-189. 10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.2.180.

The Impacts of Social Support on Industrial Injured Workers’ Self-rated Health

• Kim JE
• Hahm Mi

• KMID: 2534955
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.2.180

Abstract

Background
Social support contributes directly and indirectly to maintaining physical, mental, and social well-being. The aim of the study was to identify the impact of social support on self-rated health among Korean industrial accident workers.
Methods
This study used data from the panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI). The final subjects were 2,759 workers who responded to a 2018 to 2020 PSWCI. Social support was defined as social contact with friends, neighbors, family, and social participation activities like religious activity, social activity, and club activity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate causal relationships between social support and self-rated health using a generalized estimating equation model.
Results
Proportion of workers’ good self-rated health steadily increased (2018: n=1,447, 63.2%; 2019: n=1,542, 66.2%; 2020: n=1,653, 67.3%). Higher levels of social contacts with friend (worse: reference; same: β=0.442) and higher levels of social activity (yes: reference; no: β=-0.173) were especially associated with good self-rated health.
Conclusion
This study confirmed social support positively influenced self-rated health among the self-rated health of industrial injured workers. The results of this study suggested that recovery policies that the government served should include programs enhancing social support for improving health among industrial injured workers.

Keyword

Social support; Social contact; Self-rated health