This study aimed to provide basic data for improving the working environment and preventing musculoskeletal disorders among ‘Saenghwal-Jiwon-sa’ (home-visiting support workers) employed in the Customized Care Service for Older Adults, by analyzing...
This study aimed to provide basic data for improving the working environment and preventing musculoskeletal disorders among ‘Saenghwal-Jiwon-sa’ (home-visiting support workers) employed in the Customized Care Service for Older Adults, by analyzing their levels of musculoskeletal disorder risk and job stress. A structured self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with 34 workers employed at a service agency located in City I, and 30 completed responses were used for the final analysis.
Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS; 43 items), and musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Symptom Survey developed by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA).
Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed to examine participants’ general characteristics, working conditions, emotional bonding with clients, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms.
The main findings are as follows.
First, the overall job-stress level of the participants was lower than the median score of Korean female workers; however, relatively high levels were observed in the domains of job insecurity and interpersonal conflict. In particular, job insecurity was higher than that reported among care workers (yoyang-bohosa), suggesting that unstable employment status may be a major source of psychological burden. Second, emotional bonding with clients was found to be high, indicating that Saenghwal-Jiwon-sa function not only as service providers but also as relational supporters. At the same time, such strong emotional involvement may increase the risk of emotional labor and burnout. Third, all participants reported experiencing pain or discomfort in at least one body region within the past year, with symptoms most frequently occurring in the shoulders and legs/feet. This pattern appears to reflect the interaction between the predominantly middle-aged female workforce and the mobility-centered nature of the job. Fourth, a significant negative correlation was found between emotional bonding and job stress (r = −.45, p < .05), indicating that stronger emotional bonding was associated with lower job stress. However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between musculoskeletal symptoms and either emotional bonding or job stress.
Taken together, these findings suggest that the work of Saenghwal-Jiwon-sa involves a combination of emotional care and physical activity. Therefore, efforts to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and improve job conditions should adopt an integrated approach that considers both physical health protection and the management of emotional burden among workers.