The Levels of Impacts of Events, Depression and Anxiety among Injured Workers

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of accidental events, depression, and anxiety among workers with industrial accidents in South Korea. METHODS: The participants were 510 workers with industrial accidents. Data were collected by personal interviews with structured questionnaires for three months from August to October in 2005. For analyses, frequencies and means were utilized. RESULTS: The participants' average age was 44.9 years, and about 91% of them were male. Also, they had a greater risk of poverty after being injured. The most frequent cause of accidents was fall (32.2%), and the most frequent injured body area was extremities (73.9%). For around a half of the participants, the treatment period was 12 months or shorter. The participants were at great risk of experiencing a negative impact due to events, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop: (a) strategies for injured workers to be financially stable during recuperation; and (b) supporting systems for them not to suffer and exacerbate mental health problems after being injured.