A study on the relationship between job stress and nicotine dependence in Korean workers.
BACKGROUND
Nicotine dependence and its severity are often determined by individuals' psychosocial factors.This study purposed to analyze how Korean workers' job stress is related with their nicotine dependence according to demographic and occupational characteristics in order to reduce smoking related to job stress and to establish objective indicators to be used in developing adequate smoking cessation strategies.


METHODS
The subjects of this study were 4,639 workers who replied to the questionnaire survey. In addition, 1,948 current smokers were separated from non-smokers and ex-smokers, and the relationship between job stress and nicotine dependence was analyzed with the current smoker group. Nicotine dependence was tested using Fagerström's Test of Nicotine Dependence, and stress was measured using a questionnaire on subjective stress felt by workers in their daily life and the short form of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale.


RESULTS
The smoking rate was 54.1 % among men and 2.5 % among women. Nicotine dependence was significantly different according to interpersonal conflict, organization system and lack of reward (p < 0.05). As multivariate logistic analysis, job control, occupational climate and total stress score were statistical significant (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Job stress was found to be related with smoking status and nicotine dependence. Based on this result, it is suggested to enhance workers' welfare for health promotion in workplace by improving their working environment in order to reduce job stress and consequently to decrease the smoking rate.
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Seung Rak
SR
Son
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Byeong Moo
BM
Choe
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Seong Hwan
SH
Kim
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.|Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Dong-A University Medical Center, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Young Seoub
YS
Hong
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Republic of Korea.|Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Dong-A University Medical Center, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Byoung Gwon
BG
Kim
Job stress; Nicotine dependence; Smoking; Workers