The association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among Korean wage workers: the fifth Korean working condition survey

Abstract

Background Non-regular workers are steadily increasing on account of improving corporate productivity. They are classified as non-permanent, part-time, or non-typical workers. Non-regular work has a negative impact on workers' physical and mental health. This study analyzed the relationship between non-permanent, part-time and non-typical work and insomnia among Korean wage workers, and investigated the differences and interactions between different work patterns. Methods The Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey was used in this study. Non-regular work patterns were classified into 7 types: type 1, sole non-permanent; type 2, sole part-time; type 3, sole non-typical; type 4, part-time-non-typical; type 5, non-permanent-non-typical; type 6, non-permanent-part-time; type 7, all inclusive. Insomnia was measured on a scale from “normal sleep” to “insomnia” based on the 3-item Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between non-regular work patterns and insomnia among wage workers. Results After multivariate adjustment, a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) for insomnia was found in types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of non-regular work patterns compared to regular work patterns. After stratification for shift and night work, the OR of the group with shift and night work was higher than that of the group without shift and night work. Conclusions Insomnia was significantly associated with non-regular work patterns. This association was prominent in workers with shifts and night work. This finding suggests that proper work patterns may be needed to reduce the risk of insomnia among Korean wage workers and workers who initially had insomnia should consider these results before placement.

Health-Related Productivity Loss According to Health Conditions among Workers in South Korea

“…Second, although the data collection was based on the panel participants randomly selected, the sample estimate has a limitation in its lack of being reflective of the actual conditions of all workers in the country. For example, the percentage of wage workers aged 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60 years were 13.1%, 23.9%, 26.4%, 22.7% and 13.9%, respectively, in the nationally representative survey in South Korea [ 36 , 37 ], but our data were obtained from a higher proportion of younger workers. However, we believe that the important health conditions suggested by our study are of significant importance for the entire working population in South Korea.…”

Association between Workers’ Anxiety over Technological Automation and Sleep Disturbance: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey

“…The negative perception of one’s job security and prospects could spill over to the home domain, impairing the quality of rest and sleep [ 39 ]. From this perspective, some studies have found detrimental effects of job insecurity on workers’ sleep quality in both Western and Asian countries [ 29 , 40 ].…”