Evaluation of workload and mental health status of mining and thermal power plant workers

This study was conducted to evaluate the work stress, workload, work control, social support levels and general health status of workers in underground mines and thermal power plants. The descriptive and correlational study was completed with 162 mine workers and 158 thermal power plant workers. The data of the study were collected with Personal Information Form and Swedish Workload-Control-Support Questionnaire (IIYKD), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.00 program. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test and Spearman Correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data. When the General Health Questionnaire and Swedish Workload-Control-Support Questionnaire scale scores of mine and thermal power plant workers were compared, it was found that the general health, workload, skill use, job control, work stress scores of the mine workers were high and the difference between the groups was statistically significant(p<0,05). It was determined that there was no significant difference between the groups in the freedom of decision and social support scale scores (p>0,05). When the relationship between the scale scores of the participants is examined, the general health survey scores and the negative correlation between skill use (r=-0,131 p=0,019); freedom of decision (r=-0,218 p<0,001); job control (r=-0,214 p<0,001) and social support (r=-0,403 p=0,001) scores; It was determined that there was a positive significant relationship between job stress (r=0.243 p=0.001). As a result of this study, it was found that both groups of workers had high job stress and psychological risk, but mine workers had a higher risk; It was determined that the risk for mental health increased as skill use, freedom of decision, job control, social support decreased and work stress increased. In these heavy and dangerous workplaces, it is recommended to take measures to reduce the work stress of mining workers and to carry out studies to protect mental health. Key words: Mining, thermal power plant, work stress, mental health, psychiatric nursing