Relationships between Occupational Stress, Change in Work Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Non-Healthcare Workers in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to clarify the effect of occupational stress and changes in the work environment on non-healthcare workers' (HCWs) mental health during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted from 16 to 17 December 2020. Data from 807 non-HCWs were included. We evaluated occupational stress using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire (GJSQ). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, respectively. We collected demographic variables, work-related variables, and the variables associated with COVID-19. The adjusted odds ratios for depressive and anxiety groups were estimated using multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusted for all the demographic variables, work-related variables, COVID-19-related variables, and the six subdivided GJSQ subscales. The results confirm a relationship between variance in workload, job future ambiguity, social support from coworkers, having contact with COVID-19 patients, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Paying attention to job future ambiguity, the variance in workload at the workplace and individual perspectives, promoting contact and support among coworkers using online communication tools, and reducing contact with COVID-19 patients, will be useful for decreasing the depressive and anxiety symptoms among non-HCWs.

Relationship between initial self-perceived depressive symptoms and disease severity in working patients with first-onset major depressive disorder.

The severity of major depressive disorder (MDD), which is related to the depressive symptoms, is a predictor of clinical outcomes and may be used to determine the appropriate treatment. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the relationship between early depressive symptoms and MDD severity. This study aimed to clarify the association between initial depressive symptoms and MDD severity in working patients. We assessed 118 patients aged over 20 years who visited the Neuropsychiatry Department of the Osaka City University Hospital following their first episode of MDD. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between age, gender, marital status, working hours, and initial self-perceived depressive symptoms and MDD severity. Age and working hours were analyzed as continuous variables, and gender (man, woman), marital status (married, single) and severity (mild to moderate MDD, severe to very severe MDD) were analyzed as categorical variables. The most common initial self-perceived symptom was "depressed mood," followed by "fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day." The univariate analysis found no association between age, gender, marital status, or working hours and MDD severity. Initial self-perceived non-somatic symptoms were associated with increased odds of having severe MDD (odds ratio = 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.46-7.58), and this association persisted in the adjusted model (odds ratio = 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.47-7.60). Initial self-perceived non-somatic depressive symptoms are significantly associated with MDD severity at its first onset. Workplace support may lead to the early detection and treatment of working patients with non-somatic symptoms.

Burnout and occupational stressors among non-medical occupational health staff.

BACKGROUND: The work required to assist individuals in improving their mental health is stressful and known to be associated with burnout. In Japanese companies, non-medical occupational health (OH) staff often take the role of maintaining and improving workers' mental health. However, few studies have examined burnout in this population. AIMS: To assess the relationship between burnout and occupational stressors among non-medical OH staff. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of OH staff who had participated in mental health seminars between 2016 and 2018. Occupational stressors were assessed using the Japanese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. Burnout was assessed using the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: We administered the survey to 230 non-medical OH staff, of which 188 completed the questionnaire. According to a hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, high job demands were associated with greater emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment. Greater job control was associated only with higher personal accomplishment. Lower job support was associated with greater emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found relationships between occupational stressors and burnout dimensions among OH staff. To avoid burnout among non-medical OH staff, it is important to take measures against occupational stressors, especially job demands and low levels of job support.

Relationship between Burnout and Mental-Illness-Related Stigma among Nonprofessional Occupational Mental Health Staff.

BACKGROUND: Stigma related to mental illness can be an obstacle affecting the quality of life of people with mental illness. Although mental illness in the workplace is a public problem globally, few studies have investigated the effect of stigma on job-related problems such as burnout. AIM: This study aimed to clarify the association between mental-illness-related stigma and burnout among nonprofessional occupational mental health staff. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, nonprofessional occupational mental health staff's perceived mental-illness-related stigma was assessed using Link's Devaluation-Discrimination Scale, and their burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The association between stigma and burnout was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 282 participants completed the questionnaire (response rate: 91.3%). We excluded 54 nurses from the analysis to examine strictly nonprofessional occupational mental health staff. Finally, 228 eligible respondents were surveyed. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that mental-illness-related stigma was significantly associated with a high degree of depersonalization, which was one of the burnout dimensions. However, the impact of stigma over the depersonalization domain of burnout was minor. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that higher perceived mental-illness-related stigma is associated with more severe burnout. It is important to take measures against mental-illness-related stigma to avoid burnout among occupational mental health staff.

Gender differences in the relationships between perceived individual-level occupational stress and hazardous alcohol consumption among Japanese teachers: A cross-sectional study.

Most teachers have a high risk of work-related stress and mental disorders. Drunken driving and hazardous alcohol consumption (HAC) among teachers are social problems. Gender differences among teachers in burnout, occupational stress, self-efficacy and job satisfaction were reported. This study aimed to clarify gender differences in the relationships between perceived individual-level occupational stress and HAC among Japanese teachers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 and a total of 723 male and 476 female teachers remained after excluding non-drinkers. Perceived individual-level occupational stress was assessed using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire. HAC was defined as ethanol consumption greater than or equal to 280 g in 1 week for male teachers, and greater than or equal to 210 g for female teachers. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. HAC was identified in 16.6% of male and 12.4% of female teachers. The average ages (± standard deviation: SD) of male and female teachers were 46.9 ± 10.9 years and 39.9 ± 12.3 years, respectively. Schoolteacher was the most common position classification among male (48.7%) and female teachers (86.3%). For those with a moderate level of stress, "social support from supervisors" was associated with HAC among males (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-0.8), whereas for female teachers with a high level of stress, "variance in workload" was associated with HAC (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.04-4.24), using an adjusted model. This study showed that moderate social support from supervisors was negatively related to HAC among male teachers, and high variance in workload was positively related to HAC among female teachers. Gender differences need to be considered when developing HAC prevention strategies for teachers.