The Effect of Multidimensional Employment Quality on the Health of Social Workers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the health promotion of social workers by empirically identifying the effect of multidimensional employment quality on the health of social workers. To this end, this study selected dimensions and indicators of employment quality considering the characteristics of social workers based on the multidimensional employment quality evaluation framework of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In addition, using the 2020 Korea Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) data, 426 social workers were selected as study subjects and multiple regression analysis was conducted. The analysis results are as follows. First, it was found that the safety and ethics of employment, wages and welfare benefits, employment stability and social security, employment-related relationships, and work motivation had an effect on the mental health of social workers. Second, it was found that the safety and ethics of employment, working hours, and work-life balance had an effect on social workers' subjective health. Third, social dialogue, skill development, and training appeared to be the dimensions that did not affect both mental health and self-rated health of social workers. Based on the above analysis results, this study proposed policy proposals and follow-up studies for social workers' health promotions.