The Effect of Occupational Stress on Turnover Intention in Information Technology Workers: The Moderating Effect of Alcohol Use

The purpose of this study is to verify the moderating effect of alcohol use on the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention among information technology industry workers (hereafter referred to as IT workers).Through this study, we aim to understand the job stress and alcohol use status of IT workers and identify stress and mental health issues related to turnover.For this study, a sample of 519 IT workers completed the online questionnaires: the Korean Occupational Stress Scale, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korea, and Turnover Intention Scale.Occupational stress consists of the physical environment, job demand, lack of job control, insufficient social support, job insecurity, organizational injustice, the inappropriateness of rewards, and work-life imbalance.The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and two-way ANOVA analysis by SPSS 25.0 software.The results can be summarized as follows.1.Among the participants, 30-50% were at risk of developing clinical problems from Job demand, lack of job autonomy, job instability, organizational injustice, Inappropriateness of reward, and work-life imbalance, and 34% were at risk of alcohol use risk 2. The turnover intention levels were significantly higher in the at-risk group for all occupational stress factors and alcohol use compared to the normal group.3. Job demand, organizational injustice, Inappropriateness of reward, and alcohol use had significant effect on turnover intention.4. The moderating effect of alcohol use on the relationship between occupational stress and turnover intention was confirmed.Based on the results, We discuss the risks of job stress and alcohol use among IT workers and the possibility that job stress and alcohol use issues could lead to turnover.Finally, we suggest the necessity of stress management and mental health support for IT workers and provide implications for addressing turnover issues.