Psychosocial Health of Disease-Free Breast Cancer Survivors Compared with Matched Non-cancer Controls / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the psychosocial health of disease-free breast cancer survivors who receive health examinations compared to matched non-cancer controls in a community setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used baseline data from the Health Examinee cohort, which is composed of subjects participating in health. The disease-free breast cancer survivors were defined as those who were ≥ 2 years from initial diagnosis of breast cancer who had completed treatment. Females without a history of cancer were randomly selected at 1:4 ratio by 5-year age groups, education, and household income as a comparison group. We analyzed results from the Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) as a psychosocial health measurement. RESULTS: A total of 347 survivors of breast cancer and 1,388 matched controls were included. Total scores on the PWI-SF were lower in breast cancer survivors than matched non-cancer controls (p=0.006), suggesting a lower level of psychosocial stress in breast cancer survivors. In comparison to the control group, prevalence of drinking, smoking and obesity were lower, while exercising for ≥ 150 min/wk was higher in breast cancer survivors (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that breast cancer survivors have better health behaviors than their noncancer controls. After adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, breast cancer survivors were 36% less likely to be included in the stress group (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 0.98). CONCLUSION: The disease-free breast cancer survivors resuming daily life demonstrated better psychosocial health status compared to matched non-cancer controls.

The work–life balance and psychosocial well-being of South Korean workers

BACKGROUND: It is challenging to balance work and life, and little attention has been paid to the work–life balance and psychosocial well-being of South Koreans. We assessed the association between work–life balance and psychosocial well-being among paid Korean workers. METHODS: This study was based on data from the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We evaluated only paid workers, which constituted 30,649 of the total of 50,007 subjects surveyed. Poor work–life balance was defined based on the goodness of fit between working hours and social commitments. Well-being was measured using the World Health Organization WHO-5 index. Poisson regression with robust variances was used to calculate the estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) with confidence intervals. RESULTS: Poor work–life balance was associated with poor psychosocial well-being (PR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.28) even after adjusting for work-related and individual characteristics. Poor well-being was associated with low-level job autonomy (PR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09), working for ≥53 h per week (PR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.14), blue-collar status (PR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.21), low-level support at work (PR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.36), age ≥ 50 years (PR = 1.21; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.26), the female gender (95% CI PR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07), and cohabitation (living with somebody) (PR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.12). Good well-being was associated with high-intensity work (PR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99), being the secondary earner in a household (PR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.85), and higher income (PR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.79). CONCLUSION: Work–life balance was associated with psychosocial well-being after adjusting for both work-related and individual characteristics.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Prospective Cohort Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in long-term survivors of indolent and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: TheHRQOLwas assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at diagnosis in NHL patients between 2008 and 2011, and follow-up evaluation was conducted from June 2014 to February 2015 using EORTC QLQ-C30 and the quality of life in cancer survivors (QOL-CS) questionnaire. We used linear mixed models to compare changes in HRQOL between indolent and aggressive NHL over time. RESULTS: The HRQOL of long-term survivors with aggressive NHL improved to the similar level of indolent NHL during the follow-up survey. However, survivors of NHL were found to fear the probability of relapse and second malignancy, and the degree of fear was not different between survivors with aggressive stage I/II or III/IV NHL (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a half of survivors reported impaired sense of psychosocial well-being regardless of aggressiveness and stage during follow-up survey. More than 65% of survivors thought they did not receive sufficient support from others, and patients who had financial difficulties at diagnosis were more frequently associated with suffering from insufficient support. Impaired physical and cognitive functioning at diagnosis was significantly associated with lack of life purpose in long-term survivors. CONCLUSION: The HRQOL of aggressive NHL survivors improved to a similar level to that of indolent NHL. However, the majority of survivors still had fear of relapse, and psychosocial well-being remained unmet needs.

Association of Changes in Mood Status and Psychosocial Well-Being with Depression During Interferon-Based Treatment for Hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this prospective study were to investigate temporal changes in mood status and distress level, as well as the development of depression, during pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-based treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We also explored whether baseline demographic, psychiatric, and personality traits predicted the evolution of depression. METHODS: CHC patients without depression were screened with laboratory tests; psychiatric interviews; and evaluations of mood symptoms, level of distress, and personality traits. A total of 67 treatment-naïve patients with CHC were consecutively treated with PEG-IFN-α-2a plus ribavirin for 48 (genotype 1, n=29) or 24 (genotype 2, n=38) weeks. Patients were followed prospectively every 4 weeks during the treatment period. RESULTS: Seven patients (10.4%) were diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), and eight (11.9%) developed subsyndromal depression. Times to onset of MDD and subsyndromal depression were 6.67±5.01 and 11.11±5.58 weeks, respectively, after initiation of treatment. Patients who developed MDD had significantly increased fatigue and anxiety and poor psychological well-being during the course of treatment. Pretreatment subthreshold mood symptoms were a significant predictor of depression. CONCLUSION: An early psychiatric assessment may be helpful in improving psychological well-being in those with CHC, leading to adherence to PEG-IFN-based treatment.

Questionário de Bem-Estar no Trabalho: estrutura e propriedades psicométricas / Questionnaire of Well-Being at Work: structure and psychometric properties

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar a estrutura e as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Questionário de Bem-Estar no Trabalho. Essa ferramenta foi projetada para uma medição particularmente sensível aos aspectos psicossociais do bem-estar no trabalho, bem como à natureza bipolar dessa experiência de bem-estar. O questionário foi aplicado a uma amostra constituída por 101 docentes de uma instituição comunitária de ensino superior no sul catarinense. A análise fatorial mostra dois fatores independentes no Questionário Bem-Estar no Trabalho, o primeiro considerando três escalas de bem-estar psicossocial (afetos, competências e expectativas), e o segundo levando em conta três escalas de efeitos colaterais (somatização, desgaste e alienação). As escalas mostraram uma alta consistência interna, com alfas de Cronbach de 95, 95, 97, 88, 93 e 80, respectivamente. O Questionário Bem-Estar no Trabalho reproduz fielmente a estrutura do modelo teórico assumido e reúne as propriedades técnicas necessárias para avaliar o bem-estar no trabalho em ambientes universitários.

The objective of this article is to present the structure and psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of The Work Well-Being Questionnaire. This was developed with the aim of providing a measurement tool particularly sensitive to the psychosocial dimension of work well-being, and to the bipolar nature of the well-being experience. The questionnaire was applied to a convenience and intentional sample, constituted by 101 teachers of a higher education community institution in the south of Santa Catarina. Factor analysis shows two independent factors in The Work Well-Being Questionnaire, considering the first of three scales of psychosocial well-being (emotions, skills and expectations) and the second, three other side effects (somatization, wear and alienation). The scales showed high internal consistency with Cronbach's alphas of 95, 95, 97, 88, 93 and 80, respectively. The Work Well-Being Questionnaire faithfully reproduces the structure of the theoretical model assumed and meets the technical properties needed to assess the work well-being in university environments.

Psychosocial well-being in children with epilepsy.

Objective: To examine the aptitude, school performance and parent satisfaction (psychosocial wellbeing) of epileptic children in comparison to a control group Method: A prospective study was conducted from 30th May to 8th August 2005 at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo. Data was collected by a trained investigator. All children between the ages of 6 and 10 years, diagnosed with epilepsy for a period extending 2 years, and attending the hospital during the study period, were included as cases. Only children who were attending school (mainstream or special needs) were included. 102 questionnaires were administered and none were discarded. The controls were identified from 3 primary schools in the same district. Each epileptic child was matched by age and sex with a non-epileptic child. The social class profiles of the 2 groups did not differ significantly. Each participating parent completed a pre-tested questionnaire to assess the psychosocial well-being of the epileptic children and their parents. This was followed by a standardized aptitude test which was completed by both cases and controls. The data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 12 for Windows to examine the differences between the groups via frequency distributions. Results: When compared with the non-epilepsy sample, the epilepsy sample was characterised by low academic achievement, extra-curricular participation, self and life skills, dependency, lethargy, restricted independence and less equal opportunity towards success. On the other hand, on items relating to aggressive behaviour and family relationships no significant differences were found between the two groups. On the Aptitude test the average score by an epileptic child was 4.12/10 whereas it was 8.42/10 in the control group. Conclusion: The psychosocial wellbeing of epileptic children is poor in comparison to the control group.

Análise do bem estar psicossocial de aposentados de Goiânia / Análisis del bien estar psicosocial de jubilados de Goiânia / Analysis of retired men’s psychosocial well-being in Goiânia

Este estudo analisou o bem estar psicossocial de aposentados da cidade de Goiânia. Participaram 118 homens, aposentados por tempo de serviço, cuja vida laboral ocorreu em empresas públicas, autarquias e de economia mista, de âmbito federal, estadual ou municipal. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas. Para a análise dos resultados foi realizada uma regressão múltipla, tendo como variável critério o índice de bem estar e, como seus possíveis preditores, oito variáveis sobre aspectos referentes aos relacionamentos sociais, vida financeira, avaliação da saúde e da vida sexual após a aposentadoria. As variáveis sobre o planejamento, satisfação com a saúde e as relações sociais nas quais eles possam se locomover com independência foram as mais significativas para o bem estar dos participantes. Esses resultados são discutidos ressaltando as especificidades da amostra aqui utilizada, as dificuldades de generalizações e a importância de futuros estudos objetivando tornar esse tema central na agenda de trabalhos sobre o envelhecimento populacional.

This study examined the psychosocial well-being of retired on pension men in Goiânia. The participants were 118 men, retired by service time, whose working life occurred in public service companies. The instrument used was a questionnaire with open and closed questions. Multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. The dependent variable was the well being index and the predictors were eight variables on aspects related to social relationships, financial life, health and sexual life after retirement. The most significant predictors for the well being of the participant were living the retirement as planned, satisfaction with their health and the possibility of social relationships where they can move more independently. These results are discussed emphasizing the peculiarities of the sample, the difficulties to generalize the results and the importance of further studies aiming at making the subject central to agenda of studies on population aging.

Este estudio analizó el bienestar psicosocial en una muestra de jubilados de la ciudad de Goiânia. Participaron 118 hombres, jubilados tras finalizar su vida laboral, cuyo trabajo transcurrió en empresas públicas y de economía mixta, de ámbito nacional, comarcal o municipal. La recogida de datos fue realizada por medio de la aplicación de un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas y cerradas. Para la obtención de los resultados fue realizado un análisis de regresión múltiple, en el que la variable criterio fue el índice de bienestar y como variables predictoras se incluyeron ocho variables acerca de aspectos referidos a las relaciones sociales, situación económica, evaluación de la salud y de la vida sexual después de la jubilación. Las variables eferidas a la planificación, la satisfacción con la vida y las relaciones sociales que permiten desplazarse con independencia fueron las más significativas en la explicación del bienestar de los participantes. En la discusión de los resultados obtenidos se destaca la especificidad de la muestra utilizada, las dificulatades para poder generalizar los resultados y la necesidad de realizar futuras investigaciones que tengan como objetivo el estudio del envejecimiento poblacional.

Difference of Physical Symptoms, PWI and JCQ according to Sasang Constitutions for Industrial Workers

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze industrial workers' stresses from physical symptoms, PWI, JCQ and tasks in classification of Sasang constitutions. METHOD: Data were collected from industrial workers in J Province from May 2003 to June 2003. Questionnaires were distributed and collected on the day of their physical examination. Collected data were analysed through chi2-test. RESULT: Health-related characteristics showed that most of smokers and drinkers were Taeumins and this result was statistically significant. Physical symptoms related to constitutions indicated that GI and neurologic symptoms are significantly more frequent in Soeumin. The percentage of subjects with moderate risk was high in order of Soyangin, Taeumin and Soeumin while the percentage of subjects with high risk was high in order of Soeumin, Taeumin and Soyangin. CONCLUSION: Through this study, Lee Jae Ma's theory was be confirmed compatible with disease characteristics. However, research with more various subjects and variables needs to be made.

The Relationship between psychosocial stress and Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Assembly Line Workers in the Automobile industry / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between stress Factors and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of assembly line workers in the automobile industry. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two Factories of automobile manufacturing companies where inappropriate posture and repetitive motions were required. The total number of subjects was 636, and consisted entirely of men. The Age, length of work duration, marital status, education level, smoking status, drinking status, sleeping time and stress scores were investigated according to subgroups of general characteristics. We divided the subjects into a Reference group and a Stress risk group to compare the frequency of the variables between them. The stress scores of the Positive symptom group were compared with the Symptom free group by the t-test. To measure the stress level, the PWI(Psychosocial Well being Index) which consists of 4 Factors, totaling 45 items, was used. A standardized self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the symptoms in workers. The criteria for positive symptoms were based on Operational Definition of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders of the NIOSH. RESULTS: 1) The subgroups of Age, Work duration, Marital status, Education level, Smoking status, Drinking status and Sleeping time revealed no differences in frequencies in musculoskeletal symptoms. 2) Higher PWI(p<0.05), Factor 3(p<0.05) and Factor 4(p<0.01) scores were observed in younger workers compared with older workers. 3) The workers who had work durations between 11-15 years showed higher PWI(p<0.01), Factor 2(p<0.01), Factor 3(p<0.01), and Factor 4(p<0.01), compared with other work duration subgroups. 4) Singles had higher Factor 4 scores(p<0.01). 5) The sleeping time of less than 6 hours a day expressed a higher PWI(p<0.01), Factor 2(p<0.05), and Factor 3(p<0.01), Factor 4(p<0.05). 6) There was no difference in the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms between the Reference group and Stress risk group. 7) The subjects who had Positive musculoskeletal symptoms showed a significant difference in Factor 2 scores compared with the Symptom free groups. 8) According to a univariate logistic regression analysis, Factor 2(OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04, p-value: 0.0291) expressed significant but mild effects on the musculoskeletal symptoms and a multivariate logistic regression showed a statistically significant effect on musculoskeletal symptoms(OR:1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07, p-value: 0.0170). CONCLUSION: Psychosocial stress scores were not higher in symptomatic subjects compared with those who had no symptoms. Sleeping longer showed a protective effect on symptoms but this was not statistically significant. There was no relationship between the stress scores and musculoskeletal symptoms in social performance and self-confidence, general well-being and vitality. Factor 2(Depression) was statistically significant though its effect was mild. Limited to this study, We could find partial relationship between psychosocial stress(Depression) and musculoskeletal symptoms. So it could therefore be suspected that ergonomic or other unknown factors may be more significant causes of musculoskeletal symptoms but we did not investigate these.

Stress Relating Factors of Working Women in a Bank / 대한산업의학회지

We surveyed 343 female bank clerks to find out associations between stress and a variety of factors including general, menstruation and reproductive characteristics of the participants. Unmarried women composed the majority of younger, lower income and lower education groups than married did. They also showed higher. though not significantly higher, scores for psychosocial well being index(PWJ) and the first three items of the stress survey. And married women scored slightly higher only in the fourth item of the stress survey. Among the subgroups of married and unmarried women, many factors contributed to a higher stress score in two or more items of the stress survey; in unmarried women, lower education level, little physical exercise, and large family inhabitants, in contrast married women, higher monthly income and greater working hours were related to higher stress scores. According to the menstruation factors, subgroups with dysmenorrhea or irregular cycle and scanty bleedig volume in unmarried women and subgroups with dysmenorrhea in married women showed higher stress scores in PWI. In married women, the proportion of those who have been pregnant was 77.2% and the proportion of those who have experienced spontaneous abortion was 24.1%. Those who have ever experienced two or more spontaneous abortion showed higher, though not statistically significantly higher. scores for PWI. In conclusion, dysmenorrhea was associated with high stress score in two groups. And the other factors related to higher score of PWJ were different between unmarred and married women, which should be considered in a management plan for mental health promotion.

The relationship between Stress and life Styles in Business

BACKGROUND: Stress is found to have influence on physical and mental disorders, and also to daily life styles related to physical health and mental stress. There are many studies that concern the stress and coping response and the relation ships physical, mental disorders and stress. But relationship between stress and life styles have seldom been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between stress and life styles. METHODS: From June 2, 1997 to June 30, 1997, we selected 463 businessmen we who had undergone regular health screening SUN hospital as subjects of the investigation in the survey on life styles included diet habit, salt ingestion, meat ingestion, alcohol drinking, smoking habit, physical exercise, sleep disturbance, and stress perception was measured by Psychosocial Well-being Index(PWI). RESULTS: 'There was significant difference in diet habit according to ages, marital status education level, monthly income(P<0.01), and job tenure(P<0.01), salt ingestion according to monthly income and body mass index(P<0.05), alcohol drinking according to religion or none, smoking according to age, marital status, monthly income, body mass index(P<0.05), and religion(P<0.01), exercise according to age, education level(P<0.01), monthly income(P<0.01), job department, and job tenure(P<0.05), and sleep disturbance according to age, education level, body mass index(P<0.05), and monthly income(P<0.01). There was no difference in the average scores of PWI according to general characteristics. The average scores of PWI concerning about life styles showed significant difference in diet habit, arcohol drinking, smoking habit, exercise, and sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of health habit and motility rate has already proved. This investigation has showed that there is a correlation between life styles and stress. So, we concluded that it is the best way to keep the good health habit by stress control for health promotion and disease prevention.

Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Psychosicial Distress and Occupational Risks / 예방의학회지

The effects of cigarette smoking on the psychosocial distress, the absenteeism, the occupational injuries, and on the prevalence for the accidents were assessed in 795 male workers who had been employed since March 1994. The results show that the prevalence of current smokers were higher in young men, lower educational level, lower income, single men(unmarried or divorced), alcohol drinkers, and blue collar workers. In the bivariate analyses, the workers with the high job demand and low work control were more likely to smoke, although the relationship was not strong. Those who reported lower satisfaction on his job tended to smoke more. Mean scores of psychosocial well-being Index(PWI) were higher in current smokers than nonsmokers. For the hierarchical multiple regression analyses, interaction terms between cigarette smoking and job stressors(job demand and work control) were not significant. For smokers, the odds ratios for the occupational injuries, and the accidents were 1.40(95% confidence interval 0.77-2.57) and 1.96 (95% confidence interval 0.75-5.09), respectively. The mean absent day were 4.13 for smokers, 3.65 for nonsmokers, although the differences were not statistically significant. It seems that cigarette smoking had not caused any crucial effects on the psychosocial well-being status and the occupational risks. Some considerations for the further research on the relationship of cigarette smoking on the mental health status and the occupational risks were also discussed.

Relationship between Life Style, the Level of Stress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome on 1498 Male White Collars / 예방의학회지

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is one of the common health problem that has been considered as stress-induced. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between life style and the level of stress and IBS by structured questionnaire which included questions on life style, the self-esteemed gastrointestinal symptoms, and Psychosocial Well-being Index(PWI). Subjects were 1,498 male white collars who get the regular health check and participated in survey at Inje University Health Promotion Center from January to December, 1996. The overall prevalence of IBS was 37.5%(561 cases), and the level of stress by PWI score was higher in IBS group(41.8+/-14.2) than symptom-free group(34.6+/-12.6). As the result of comparison between the two groups, heavier smoking (adjusted OR=2.48, 95% CI 1.81-3.41), longer daily working time (adjusted OR=5.19, 95% CI 3.59-7.56), stimulatory food materials-mainly hot or salty (adjusted OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.44-2.45), higher body mass index (adjusted OR=1.80, 95% CI 1.27-2.57), and higher level of stress (adjusted OR=2.81, 95% CI 1.80-4.43) were estimated as risk factors of IBS. On the contrary, 6-8 hours sleeping per day (adjusted OR=0.38 95% CI 0.21-0.70), 3-4 times exercise per week (adjusted OR=0.57 95% CI 0.39-0.83), and tenure more than 20 years (adjusted OR=0.25 95% CI 0.16-0.35) were considered as protective factors to IBS. In summary, the assessment of the stress level might be placed in the first priority to control IBS, at least by some degree, which suggested that IBS could be controlled by avoiding such risk factors and by encouraging such protective factors.

A Study on the Relationship between Subjective Symptoms and Psychosocial Well-being Status of VDT Operators / 대한산업의학회지

This study was undertaken to identify the relationship between the subjective symptoms and the psychosocial well-being status of VDT operators. The study subjects of this study were 89 female telephone operators in Korea Telecom. The mean age of study subjects was 37.7 (s.d.; 3.1), and 91% of them were the married and 9% were the single. The mean values of psychosocial well-being status by general characteristics were not statistically significant. Of the 89 operators, 98.9% felt musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in shoulder, 91.2% in neck, 89.9% in hand, 89.9% in lowback, 88.9% in arm, 87.8% in back, and 85.6% in leg, respectively. The mean scores of the psychosocial well-being status by three categories of subjective symptoms were significant in shoulder, neck, arm, hand, and leg, but were not significant in back and lowback. Correlations between the subjective symptoms and the psychosocial well-being status were significant in discomfort scale, leg, arm, neck, shoulder, lowback, and hand, but were not significant in back. Multiple regression analysis were used to determine whether the independent variables (age, discomfort, and subjective symptoms) contributed to explaining the psychosocial well-being status. Discomfort and the subjective symptoms in leg were a correlate of the psychosocial well-being status.

The Assessment of Stress between White and Blue Collar Workers by using Psychosocial Well-being Index / 예방의학회지

This study was conducted to evaluate the degree of stress state and the risk factors related to in 967 white collar workers and 275 blue collar workers buy using Psycosocial Well-being Index. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In the white collar workers and blue collar workers, young age, low education and low income groups had high scores of stress, while in white collar workers, female had high scores of stress but in blue collar workers male had high scores of stress. 2. According to psychosocial well-being index, mild stress state were 73.9% and 53.1%, high risk stress state were 8.9% and 44.4%, and healthy state were 17.2 and 2.6% in white collar and blue collar workers respectively. 3. The total stress score was highly associated with the factors of depression, social performance and self-confidence, general well-being and vitality, and sleeping disturbance and anxiety in order. 4. In reliability test of stress factors, Cronbach's coefficients of depression, social performance and self-confidence, general well-being and vitality, and sleeping disturbance and anxiety were 0.89, 0.81, 0.79, and 0.74 respectively. In conclusion, it suggested that age, sex, marital status, income, education, sleeping time, smoking and exercise habit were associated with stress score, all of above factors should considered to occupational health.