Latent profiles of occupational stress in developing digital interventions for manufacturing workers: stakeholders-oriented approach

Abstract

The phenomenon of stress has attained a grave and consequential status within contemporary society. Notably, occupational stress, prevalent among workers, has emerged as a substantial contributor to a range of societal issues, including but not limited to the alarming rise in suicide rates. To measure and assess job stress within the context of Korea, the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) predominantly serves as the tool of choice. However, the utility of this scale to identify stress patterns in accordance with stressors is limited. Furthermore, it primarily focuses on the identification of external stressors, overlooking the intricate realm of internal psychological issues. Additionally, within the specific framework of the hierarchical structure pervasive in the manufacturing industry, it is presumed that distinct types of stress manifest for individuals occupying differing positions within the organizational hierarchy. The current study endeavors to address the issue of occupational stress through a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. This approach aims to unearth concealed stress patterns while concurrently considering both mental health and job position. A preliminary categorization process was introduced to serve as a foundation for subsequent analysis. In the case of Healthcare-wise approach, individuals were grouped based on the outcomes of a mental health screening questionnaire, distinguishing between those surpassing a predetermined cutoff point in at least one mental health dimension and those falling below it. In the case of Organization-wise approach, participants were classified into managerial(manager) and subordinate(follower) roles based on their job positions. To elucidate the intricate patterns of job stress, the study employed a person-centered approach known as latent profile analysis (LPA). This analytical technique divided the study participants into groups, utilizing the KOSS scores as a variable. Consequently, the analysis derived two distinct profiles for the MHRG+ group, four profiles for the MHRG- group, two profiles for the Manager group, and three profiles for the Follower group. Subsequent to these divisions, the study conducted post-hoc analyses, delving into demographic factors and screening survey factors to find out the distinctive characteristics and health-related aspects of each group. This multifaceted investigation seeks to provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of job stress, mental health, and occupational roles, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective stress management platforms tailored to individual needs.