Analysis of the Correlation Between Health Status and Social Factors Among Korean Care Workers

Amid South Korea’s demographic crisis of a declining birth rate and a rapidly aging population, care work has become an essential yet undervalued sector. This study investigates the physical and mental health conditions of domestic care workers and explores how social and structural factors shape their labor experiences.Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates survey data from care workers (n=345) with in-depth interviews of nine individuals working in various care roles, including certified caregivers, disability support workers, childcare teachers, and domestic workers. Quantitative findings reveal strong correlations between job satisfaction and health outcomes. Higher job satisfaction was associated with lower scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), indicating better physical and mental health. Significant disparities were found between care worker subcategories. Qualitative analysis further uncovered recurring themes such as emotional burden, social invisibility, dissatisfaction with compensation, and the absence of grievance mechanisms. Despite these challenges, many workers found meaning in their roles and relied on informal coping strategies such as peer support. This study underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues in the care sector. The results call for policies that improve working conditions, recognize the social value of care work, and promote health equity. The findings contribute to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3(Good Health), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).