Key factors associated with job burnout and job engagement among care workers in Korea

BackgroundCare work involves high emotional and physical labor, exposing workers to psychosocial stressors, ergonomic risks, and health problems, making job burnout and job engagement critical issues for the sustainability of care services.ObjectiveThis study examines multidimensional factors associated with job burnout and job engagement among care workers in Korea to inform improvements in working conditions and policy.MethodsUsing data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, this study analysed 550 wage-employed care workers. Random Forest analysis ranked factors across individual characteristics, job demands, job resources, and health domains; multiple linear regression analyses then estimated associations for the ten highest-ranked variables for each outcome.ResultsJob burnout was positively associated with job demands, including job stress and emotional instability, as well as health-related factors such as systemic fatigue. In contrast, job engagement was primarily associated with job resources, including job prospects and perceived value of work. Region of employment and economic conditions were associated with both outcomes, suggesting that environmental and economic contexts are each relevant to care workers' job experiences.ConclusionsJob burnout was primarily associated with job demands and health-related factors, whereas job engagement was primarily associated with job resources. These exploratory, cross-sectional findings identify physical and psychological health support, professional development and social recognition, and economic and regional working conditions as policy areas for further consideration. Longitudinal and intervention research is needed to establish temporal relationships and evaluate workplace or policy measures.