Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Original Articles

Gender Inequalities in Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-based Study in Korea: Minku Kang, Sarah Yu, Seung-Ah Choe, Daseul Moon, Myung Ki, Byung Chul Chun; J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(5):413-421. Published online August 19, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.170

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Objectives
This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men.
Methods
The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre–COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination).
Results
The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre–COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31).
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.; Summary

Korean summary
코로나19 대유행이 국내 경제활동인구의 정신건강에 미친 젠더화된 영향을 조사하였다. 연구대상자는 2017-2021년 지역사회건강조사 조사대상자 319,592명이다. 연구 결과, 대유행 이후 30-39세 연령대 여성의 스트레스 수준이 남성에 비하여 현저히 증가한 것으로 나타났으며, 사회적 거리두기를 엄격하게 시행하였던 도시 지역에서 이러한 경향이 두드러졌다. 이번 연구 결과는 대유행 대응 노력에서 취약 집단을 지원하기 위한 중재 정책의 필요성을 강조한다

Key Message
We investigate the gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the working-age population in Korea, focusing on ages 30-49, utilizing data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) from 2017 to 2021 including 319,592 participants. Findings reveal a notable increase in stress levels among women in the 30-39 age group after the pandemic compared to men, accentuating in urban areas with stringent social distancing measures. Our results underscore the necessity for intervention policies to support vulnerable groups in pandemic response efforts.

The Relationship Between Psychosocial Stress and Allergic Disease Among Children and Adolescents in Gwangyang Bay, Korea: Mee-Ri Lee, Bu-Soon Son, Yoo-Ri Park, Hye-Mi Kim, Jong-Youn Moon, Yong-Jin Lee, Yong-Bae Kim; J Prev Med Public Health. 2012;45(6):374-380. Published online November 29, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2012.45.6.374

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Objectives

Stress is considered a causal factor in many diseases, allergic disease being one of them. The prevalence of allergic disease is increasing in Korea, but the relationship between allergic symptoms and stress is not empirically well known. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between allergy-related symptoms and stress in children and adolescents.

Methods

We investigated 698 children and adolescents living in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and the Psychosocial Well-being Index, these subjects were surveyed on allergy-related symptoms and psychosocial stressors in their lives, respectively. We used a multivariate logistic analysis for odds ratios for the complaint rate of allergic symptoms, after adjusting for age, gender, household income, body mass index, and residence.

Results

After adjustments, lifetime rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.024), rhinoconjunctivitis (OR, 1.090), diagnosis of itchy eczema (OR, 1.040), treatment of itchy eczema (OR, 1.049), 12-month allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.026), diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.031), and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (OR, 1.034) were found to be significantly associated with stress.

Conclusions

Our results support the notion that there is a relationship between stress and allergic symptoms in children and adolescents. Further research into any causal relationship between stress and allergies, as well as preventative public health plans for decreasing stress in children and adolescents are needed.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Work-related stress and atopic dermatitis: Results from the study on occupational allergy risks
Tobias Weinmann, Felix Forster, Katharina Hell, Jessica Gerlich, Laura Wengenroth, Wolff Schlotz, Christian Vogelberg, Erika von Mutius, Dennis Nowak, Katja Radon
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2023; 20(2): 109. CrossRef
Anxiety-like behavior induced by allergen is associated with decreased irregularity of breathing pattern in rats
Atefeh Sadeghi, Saeed Pazhoohan, Saeed Hajihashemi, Mohammad Reza Palizvan, Morteza Valizadeh
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology.2022; 298: 103847. CrossRef
Early childhood traffic-related air pollution and risk of allergic rhinitis at 2–4 years of age modification by family stress and male gender: a case-control study in Shenyang, China
Shuai Hao, Fang Yuan, Pai Pang, Bo Yang, Xuejun Jiang, Aihui Yan
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
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Jingru Cheng, Fei Li, Yigui Lai, Jieyu Chen, Xiaomin Sun, Lei Xiang, Pingping Jiang, Shengwei Wu, Ya Xiao, Lin Zhou, Ren Luo, Xiaoshan Zhao, Yanyan Liu
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Health effects of environmental pollution in population living near industrial complex areas in Korea
Sang-Yong Eom, Jonghyuk Choi, Sanghyuk Bae, Ji-Ae Lim, Guen-Bae Kim, Seung-Do Yu, Yangho Kim, Hyun-Sul Lim, Bu-Soon Son, Domyung Paek, Yong-Dae Kim, Heon Kim, Mina Ha, Ho-Jang Kwon
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Stressors of School-age Children With Allergic Diseases: A Qualitative Study
Misa Iio, Mana Hamaguchi, Mayumi Nagata, Koichi Yoshida
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So Young Kim, Min-Su Kim, Bumjung Park, Jin-Hwan Kim, Hyo Geun Choi, Luo Zhang
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World Allergy Organization Journal.2017; 10: 19. CrossRef
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Gennaro Liccardi, Luigino Calzetta, Antonello Salzillo, Amedeo Piccolo, Gloria Pane, Paola Rogliani
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English Abstract

Crisis Intervention for Workers in Severely Stressful Situations After Massive Layoffs and Labor Disputes.: Jong Min Woo, Jeong Ho Chae, Soo Chan Choi; J Prev Med Public Health. 2010;43(3):265-273.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2010.43.3.265

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76 Download
1 Crossref

Abstract PDF

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+/-19.9, unemployed: 29.3+/-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.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Can We Blame the Climate of an Organization for the Stress Experienced by Employees?
Sanjeev P. Sahni, Vaijayanthee Kumar
Jindal Journal of Business Research.2012; 1(2): 181. CrossRef

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