A Study on Perceived Employ ment I nsecurity and Job Satisfaction among Occupational Therapists at Dementia Care Centers

Objective : This study aimed to examine the perceived employment insecurity and job satisfaction among occupational therapists at dementia care centers. In particular, the study investigated differences in employment insecurity and job satisfaction according to general characteristics, as well as the correlation between employment insecurity and job satisfaction. Methods : From January 2 to January 31, 2025, an online survey was conducted to investigate perceived employment insecurity and job satisfaction among occupational therapists at dementia care centers across South Korea. A total of 64 responses were collected. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, with frequency analysis and descriptive statistics, followed by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Non-parametric tests including the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were also conducted. Results : The perceived employment insecurity among occupational therapists at dementia care centers had an overall mean score of 3.03, and job satisfaction had an overall mean score of 3.27, indicating a “moderate” level. Employment insecurity showed statistically significant differences according to age, marital status, work region, and employment type(p<0.01). Job satisfaction showed statistically significant differences according to age, marital status, work region, clinical experience in occupational therapy, type of center operation, and employment type(p<0.01). There was also a statistically significant negative correlation between perceived employment insecurity and job satisfaction among occupational therapists at dementia care centers(p<0.01). Conclusion : These findings can serve as foundational data for improving organizational efficiency and establishing effective human resource management strategies based on an understanding of employment insecurity and job satisfaction among occupational therapists at dementia care centers. Furthermore, the results suggest the need for institutional and policy improvements to enhance employment stability for occupational therapists and the overall quality of occupational therapy services.