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KMID : 0904520080240010005
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Health and Medical Sociology
2008 Volume.24 No. 1 p.5 ~ p.41
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Korean Whistle-blowers’ Stress and Health Problems
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Shin Kwang-Shik
Cho Byong-Hee
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Abstract
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The aim of this paper is to identify the stress process and health problems of Korean whistle-blowers through qualitative study. In-depth interview for 9 whistle-blowers were carried out and the methods of grounded theory were applied. Adaptable Stress Model by Scott R. Howard A. was adopted for the conceptual scheme for analysis and explanation of results. The major stressor among those 9 people was the retaliation of the organization involved. The retaliation took various forms such as stigma, economic disadvantage, legal sue, neglect, ostracism, terror, threat. The organizations also tried to block up their social networks and to file them in the black-list. The retaliation have produced secondary stress such as losing their job and social roles, and missing the life chances at their life course, which weakened their capacity to control the problems of economic and family problems. Some whistle blowers who could mobilize material resources and social supports have overcome these stressors rather successfully. However, when the retaliation took place repeatedly and when the whistle blowers lacked resources and social supports, they have failed to overcome. Most of them experienced stomach intestinal problem or nervous-psychological problem. At the early stage, such symptoms could be recovered by medical treatments. But as the stress situation prolonged, the symptoms became chronic and seriously complicated, which provoked suicide trial and real death. They also experienced trouble with their son and daughter and wives, and other relates. Even their family members experienced shrinking of their social networks. Familial harmony and close relationship have broken down. They were socially retaliated and their trust in community was lost. Availability of resources and social supports and the seriousness of retaliation were the major factors to make whistle blowers keep or lose their health in the stress situation of whistle blowing.
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KEYWORD
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Qualitative Study, Whistle-Blower, Social Stress, Social Issues of Health
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