BACKGROUND: In this study, we developed a new Korean translation for the shortened version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and examined its psychometric properties in a Korean working population. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new Kor

Objective: To identify risk factors for the development of interfering neck pain in office workers including an examination of the interaction effects between potential risk factors. Background: The 1-year incidence of neck pain in office workers is reported as the highest of all occupations. Identifying risk factors for the development of neck pain in office workers is therefore a priority to direct prevention strategies. Methods: Participants included 214 office workers without neck pain from two cultures. A battery of measures evaluating potential individual and workplace risk factors were administered at baseline, and the incidence of interfering neck pain assessed monthly for 12 months. Survival analysis was used to identify relationships between risk factors and the development of interfering neck pain. Results: One-year incidence was 1.93 (95% CI [1.41, 2.64]) per 100 person months. Factors increasing the risk of developing interfering neck pain were older age, female gender, increased sitting hours, higher job strain, and stress. A neutral thorax sitting posture, greater cervical range of motion and muscle endurance, and higher physical activity were associated with a decreased risk of neck pain. The effects of some risk factors on the development of neck pain were moderated by the workers’ coping resources. Conclusion: Multiple risk factors and interactions may explain the development of neck pain in office workers. Therefore, plans for preventing the development of interfering neck pain in office workers should consider multiple individual and work-related factors with some factors being potentially more modifiable than others.

BACKGROUND: Work-related psychosocial factors such as job strain are thought to contribute to elevated psychological stress in office workers. One factor that may impact the relationship between job strain and psychological distress is the individual’s coping resources. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction effect of coping resources on the relationship between job strain and psychological distress in office workers. METHODS: 220 office workers in Australia and Korea completed the Job Content Questionnaire (to evaluate job strain and social support at work), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, (DASS-21, a measure of psychological distress), and the Coping with Job Stress Scale to assess control and escape coping. Hierarchical regression analyses were executed to examine the interaction and moderating effect of coping resources. RESULTS: Job strain had a direct positive relationship with all three domains of psychological distress. The relationship between job strain and depression was positively moderated by escape coping, but negatively moderated by social support. Use of higher levels of escape coping predicted higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms when higher levels of job strain were perceived. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest there may be a direct relationship between job strain and psychological distress in office workers. This relationship, however, may be moderated by the office workers coping resources (coping strategies and social support). It is suggested that the evaluation of coping might be a key consideration in the elements of the assessment of psychological distress in office workers.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no assessment tools for measuring coping strategies for stress at work in the Korean language. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to translate the Latack Coping Scale to workplace stress into Korean and examine