Higher educational attainment, lower sleep satisfaction, lower social support, lack of dedicated break areas, and higher number of households per worker were significantly associated with increased job stress among older Korean security workers with hypertension.
Higher educational attainment was significantly associated with increased job stress among older Korean security workers with hypertension.
Lower sleep satisfaction was significantly associated with increased job stress among security workers with hypertension.
Lower social support was significantly associated with increased job stress among security workers with hypertension.
Lack of dedicated break areas at the workplace was significantly associated with increased job stress.
A higher number of households assigned per security worker was significantly associated with increased job stress.
The study used multilevel modeling to analyze individual and work environment factors influencing job stress in a cross-sectional sample of 146 hypertensive security workers across 45 apartment complexes.
This research examined what factors contribute to job stress among older male security workers in South Korean apartment complexes who also have high blood pressure. Using surveys from 146 workers at 45 different apartment complexes, the researchers used a statistical technique called multilevel modeling to identify both personal and workplace factors linked to higher stress levels. They found that workers with more education, poorer sleep, and less social support reported more job stress. At the workplace level, having no dedicated break room and being responsible for a larger number of households were also associated with greater stress. The findings suggest that job stress in this population is shaped by a combination of personal circumstances and the physical and organizational conditions of the workplace. Notably, higher education being linked to more stress may reflect a mismatch between workers' qualifications and the nature of their job, which could itself be a source of frustration. Poor sleep—potentially worsened by long hours and shift work common in security jobs—appears to compound stress, as does social isolation. This research suggests that reducing job stress in this workforce would require addressing both individual and environmental factors simultaneously. Practical steps could include providing adequate rest spaces, balancing workloads by limiting the number of households each worker covers, promoting social support within the workplace, and offering health education around sleep hygiene. The authors also emphasize the need for age-sensitive workplace policies, given that this workforce consists largely of older men managing chronic health conditions like hypertension alongside demanding work schedules.
Lee Y, Chae D, Kim S, Byun S. (2026). Risk Factors for Job Stress Among Older Korean Security Workers With Hypertension: A Multilevel Analysis.. Workplace health & safety. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799261449263