Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the hopelessness and trait anxiety levels of young workers attending to two occupational training center (OTC) and evaluates the relation between these and some socio-demographic features.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May–2007, in Edirne and Hayrabolu Occupational Training Centers. 254 of total 424 students who were in OTC while research was conducting and answered all of the questions, were included to the study. A questionnaire which asked about demographic, socio-economic features and working conditions, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was applied under observation.
RESULTS: Thirty three percent of 254 students are girls and 67% are boys and the mean age is 19.3±3.0 (15–27). Thirty six percent of the respondents have no social insurance. 11.4% of apprentices told that they have worked 7 days a week and 89.0% of them said that they have worked more than 8 hours a day.
The mean BHI and TAI score of OTC students were 10.07±3.1 and 45.12±8.5. It was found that, female sex, going OTC with his/her family’s choice, having no social insurance, having worse socio-economic conditions, thinking there was health risks in workplace increased the BHI and TAI scores.
CONCLUSION: The BHS and TAS points are high. The difficulties of life and negativenesses of working conditions increase the anxiety and hopelessness of students. Working reasons and problems are multidimensional. Workplaces of the students must be cotrolled periodically.

Key words: Hopelessness, anxiety, young workers, occupational training center

Article Language: Turkish English