Work

Relationship between job stress and burnout among Korean workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Burnout is a work-related syndrome with growing relevance in occupational health. This study explored the association between job stress factors and burnout in Korean workers at small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: (KBOSS), aligned with International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11) criteria. Burnout was evaluated across 3 dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy. Burnout syndrome was defined as meeting all 3 dimensions. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between job stress factors and burnout. RESULTS: Burnout syndrome was found in 3.3% of participants. Key findings with statistical measures include: 1) burnout syndrome association - high job demand (Q3: OR = 12.62, 95% CI: 2.03-78.41, p < 0.05) and high overall job stress (Q4: OR = 17.56, 95% CI: 1.40-220.76, p < 0.05); 2) exhaustion predictors - high job demand (Q3: OR = 10.71, 95% CI: 3.64-31.48, p < 0.001), inadequate compensation (Q4: OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.02-4.16, p < 0.05), and poor workplace culture (Q4: OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.11-6.24, p < 0.05); 3) paradoxical findings - low job autonomy associated with reduced exhaustion (Q4: OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11-0.48, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Specific job stressors differentially impact burnout dimensions in Korean SMEs: Job demand and overall stress critically predict burnout syndrome, while inadequate compensation and poor workplace culture significantly affect exhaustion. The counterintuitive protective effects of reduced autonomy warrant further investigation. Organizations should prioritize evidence-based workload management and compensation fairness aligned with ICD-11 diagnostic patterns. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(5):528-44.

Source: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

DOI: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02650

Authors: Ji-Hoon Kim, Shin-Goo Park, Seong-Cheol Yang, Hwan-Cheol Kim, Sang-Hee Hwang

Institutions: Inha University, Keimyung University

Language: English

Topic: Stress and Burnout Research

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $701