Relationship between Psychological Distress and Poverty among Japanese Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological distress and poverty among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: An internet based prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 11,081 individuals who were not experiencing poverty at baseline in December 2020 were included. The exposure variable was psychological distress evaluated using the Kessler 6 scale at baseline. The outcome variable was whether participants were experiencing poverty at the one-year follow-up, as defined by household financial distress. RESULT: Compared to individuals without psychological distress, the adjusted odds ratios of household financial distress among those with mild and severe psychological distress were 2.88 (95% CI 2.47-3.33, p < 0.001) and 3.19 (95% CI 2.52-4.04, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Workers' psychological distress is a notable public health concern in the context of poverty.