Relationship between job satisfaction and self-rated health status among salaried workers in Korea: Comparing two waves of Korean Labor and Income Panel Study

Given the significant influence of workers' health on their overall wellbeing and on work productivity, it is important to understand the relationship between job satisfaction and perceived health status. This study sought to determine whether the relationship of job satisfaction with self-rated health status among Korean salaried workers changed between 2001 and 2005 and how the differences in job satisfaction between the two years were associated with the changes in health status.

This study used a sample of 2,173 salaried workers who participated in both the 2001 Wave 4 and the 2005 Wave 8 Korean Labor and Income Panel Study and answered questions on perceived health status and job satisfaction. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between job satisfaction and self-rated health status and multivariate linear regression was used to examine how the differences in job satisfaction between the two waves were associated with health status changes during the period.

Levels of job satisfaction and perceived health status changed between two waves: job satisfaction increased but perceived health status decreased. Job satisfaction was positively associated with perceived health status in both waves, after controlling for demographic characteristics, objective health status in 2001, non-work life satisfaction, and job quality. Changes in job satisfaction were positively associated with changes in health status between two waves.

With better understanding of the link between job satisfaction and health status, researchers and policy makers will be able to identify most vulnerable groups and develop appropriate alternatives to improve their health.