Anxiety-perceived control-perceived danger in industrial workers a study on coal miners

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Kozlu area of Zonguldak Coal Mine Industry in order to compare the level of anxiety between uriderground and surface mine workers. The effects of a personality variable and a cognitive factor on anxiety were searched. Some social and demographic characteristics of these coal miners were also investigated. Four different measurement instruments were used; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, Perceived Danger Scale and a Questionnaire. The results showed that the anxiety level of the subjects could be discriminated significantly by the three independent variables of location (surface versus underground), perceived danger, and internal-external control, in that order. Underground miners were found to have higher anxiety, to perceive higher danger and to be more external than surface miners. That is, the physical conditions of the workplace and the degree of danger perceived by miners were the best predictors of anxiety states, whereas the personality factor (internal-external locus of control) was not such an important predi£tor of anxiety states. These results were discussed in the light of our theoretical expectations and in view of stress theories. The results of the study supported Lazarus's stress model in general. They also showed that underground mine work was a highly stressful occupational field and should be given serious attention.