Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Crisis Intervention for Workers in Severely Stressful Situations After Massive Layoffs and Labor Disputes

대량실직과 노사분규 상황에 있는 근로자에 대한 위기중재 프로그램 적용 사례

  • Woo, Jong-Min (Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University School of Medicine) ;
  • Chae, Jeong-Ho (Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Choi, Soo-Chan (School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University)
  • 우종민 (인제대학교 서울백병원 신경정신과) ;
  • 채정호 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 정신과학교실) ;
  • 최수찬 (연세대학교 사회복지대학원)
  • Received : 2009.12.09
  • Accepted : 2010.03.08
  • Published : 2010.05.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Due to the economic crisis and globalization, many workers have been suffering from severe occupational stress due to job insecurity and struggles related to downsizing and restructuring. This study aims to assess the stress levels among workers involved in fierce labor disputes and massive layoffs and to evaluate their specific needs and satisfaction with counseling services set up to help workers cope with severely stressful situations? Methods: The authors provided crisis intervention to workers in traumatic situations to compare the differential level of stress responses and needs among the workers remaining employed in a large auto factory, those laid off by it, and those laid off by other companies in the same region (Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province). We measured stress levels using the worker's stress response inventory (WSRI) and heart rate variability (HRV), and assessed workers' satisfaction with the counseling services. Results: 502 workers participated in the program. Fifty-seven percent of them consulted with occupational problems. The mean WSRI score of the workers remaining employed in the automobile factory was higher than that of the unemployed (employed: $39.8{\pm}19.9$ unemployed: $29.3{\pm}18.8$). Ninety-five percent of workers responded that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the counseling services. Conclusions: This study suggests the urgent need for the establishment of a national crisis intervention program dedicated to supporting workers in severely stressful situations.

Keywords

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