The effect of job strain and worksite social support on reported side effects of COVID-19 vaccine: a prospective study of employees in Japan (preprint)

Objectives: This prospective study aimed to examine the association of job demands, job control, and the lack of supervisor and coworker support with side effects after receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of employees in Japan. Methods: The data were retrieved from an online panel of full-time employees (E- COCO- J). The analysis included participants who were employed and were not vaccinated at baseline (June 2021) but received vaccination at a four-month follow-up (October 2021). An 11-item scale measured the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Four types of psychosocial working conditions (i.e., job demands, job control, and supervisor and coworker support) were measured using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the psychosocial working conditions and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, adjusting for gender, age, educational attainment, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, dose of vaccination, anxiety from potential side effects of vaccines, fear and worry about COVID-19, and psychological distress at baseline. Results: Overall, 747 employees were included in the analysis. The average number of side effects was 3.78 (SD=2.19): Arm pain (81.1%), fatigues (64.1%), muscle pains (63.3%), and fever (37.5 degrees Celsius +) (53.5%) were reported more frequently. Coworker support score was significantly and negatively associated with the numbers of side effects (standardized {beta}=-0.122, p=0.017). Women, young age, second time vaccination, and high psychological distress were significantly associated with several side effects. Conclusions: Employees with low coworker support may be more likely to have side effects after COVID-19 vaccinations. The findings of this study could inform employees with low coworker support that increasing workplace support may reduce the side effects.

Risk factors for workplace bullying, severe psychological distress, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide internet survey for the general working population in Japan (preprint)

ObjectivesThe pandemic of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a challenging environment for workers. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for workplace bullying and mental health outcomes during the pandemic among workers. MethodsWe conducted a nationwide online cross-sectional survey from August to September 2020 in Japan (N = 16,384). Workplace bullying was measured by one item from the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire; severe psychological distress (SPD) by K6 ([≥]13); and suicidal ideation by one item. Prevalence ratios were calculated by Poisson regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders such as gender, age, occupational characteristics, and a prior history of depression. ResultsOverall, 15% of workers experienced workplace bullying, 9% had SPD, and 12% had suicidal ideation during the second and third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The results of this study showed men, executives, managers, and permanent employees had a higher risk of bullying compared to women or part-time workers. Increased physical and psychological demands were common risk factors for bullying, SPD, and suicidal ideation. Newly starting working from home was a significant predictor for adverse mental health outcomes, however, it was found to be a preventive factor against workplace bullying. ConclusionsThe results of this study found different high-risk groups for bullying or mental health during the pandemic. When intervening to decrease workplace bullying or mental health problems, we should focus on not only previously reported vulnerable workers but also workers who experienced a change of their working styles or job demands. Key messagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known about this subject?C_ST_ABSO_LIWorkplace bullying is one of the severe job stressors in the workplace that cause mental health problems. C_LIO_LIHealth care workers, less-educated workers, and non-regular female workers have been reported to have greater psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. C_LI What are the new findings?O_LIAbout 15% of workers experienced workplace bullying, 9% had SPD, and 12% had suicidal ideation during the pandemic in Japan. C_LIO_LIMen, executives, managers, and permanent workers had a higher risk of bullying compared to women or part-time workers. C_LIO_LIIncreased physical or psychological demands were common risk factors for bullying, SPD, and suicidal ideation. C_LIO_LIWhile newly starting working from home was a preventive factor against workplace bullying, it was found to be a significant risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes. C_LI How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?O_LIThe results of this study indicate a different pattern of high-risk groups for bullying or mental health during the pandemic. C_LIO_LIWhen intervening to decrease workplace bullying or mental health problems, we should focus on not only previously reported vulnerable workers but also workers who experienced a change of their working styles or job demands. C_LI

The effect of social restrictions, loss of social support, and loss of maternal autonomy on postpartum depression in 1 to 12-months postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic (preprint)

Background This study focuses on postpartum women, who are one of the most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reveal mental health consequences of social restrictions, loss of social support, or loss of autonomy. Methods A cross-sectional study for postpartum women was conducted in October 2020 (N = 600). The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure postpartum depression. The prevalence ratios were estimated by log-binomial regression models, adjusting for age, education, household income, residence area, parity, the timing of delivery, and a prior history of depression. Results The prevalence of postpartum depression was 28.7% (EPDS ≥ 9), 18.6% (≥ 11), and 13.1% (≥ 13). Social restrictions including cancellation of home visits by health care professionals, or cancellation of infant checkups or vaccinations, loss of support during pregnancy or after delivery including loss of opportunities to consult with health care professionals or friends, or cancellation of parents or other family members’ visits to support, and loss of autonomy about delivery or breastfeeding, were associated with postnatal depression. Conclusion About 30% of women who delivered and raised a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic had postpartum depression, which is much higher than a pre-pandemic meta-analysis. COVID-19 related social restrictions or loss of social support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends were significantly associated with postpartum depression. Also, loss of maternal autonomy in delivery and breastfeeding is associated with postpartum depression. The results indicate that both formal and informal support should not be limited to prevent postpartum depression during the pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccination did not improve employee mental health: A prospective study in an early phase of vaccination in Japan (preprint)

The effect of the COVID-19 vaccination as an individual-based preventive measure on mental health is largely unclear in the literature. The authors report a preliminary finding on whether vaccination effectively improves mental health among employees in Japan based on a prospective study (E-COCO-J). Of the total sample (N=948), 105 (11.1%) were vaccinated at least once at the follow-up survey (June 2021). There was no significant effect of vaccination on the change of psychological distress at baseline (February 2021) and follow-up (June 2021), after adjusting for gender, age, marital status, education, chronic disease, company size, industry, and occupation (healthcare workers or non-HCWs). Providing continuous mental health care for employees is important in an early vaccination phase.