| Keywords |
Physical environmental risk factor; Noise; Vibration; Temperature; Work-family conflict; Korean Working Conditions Survey |
| Abstract |
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical work environment hazards and work-family conflict (WFC) as a living environment factor among wage workers. Data from the 7th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) were utilized, and a final sample of 22,489 wage workers out of the 50,195 total respondents was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between physical work environment hazards and high WFC. The analysis confirmed a significant relationship between physical work environment hazards and WFC. Even after adjusting for all confounding variables, the odds ratios (ORs) for high WFC in the moderate and high exposure groups, compared to the non-exposure group, were significantly higher: noise (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.39?1.72 and OR = 2.82, 95% CI 2.46?3.24, respectively), vibration (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.31?1.62 and OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.71?2.20), high temperature (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.42?1.77 and OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.78?2.35), and low temperature (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.62?2.04 and OR = 2.47, 95% CI 2.19?2.86) (all p < .001). Across all four hazards, a clear dose-response relationship was observed, where higher levels of exposure correlated with a greater likelihood of WFC. These findings suggest that physical work environment hazards are not merely traditional occupational health factors causing bodily injuries or illnesses, but critical living environment factors that erode workers’ time, energy, and recovery resources, thereby hindering domestic role performance. Therefore, rather than approaching workplace environmental improvements and work-life balance policies in isolation, it is essential to implement an integrated preventive strategy that seamlessly links ergonomic hazard management (noise, vibration, and thermal environment) with securing recovery intervals and reforming flexible working hour systems. |