Effects of work-related stress reduction on depressive symptoms among Japanese blue-collar workers

[Stress prevention and supervisor training]

This article surveys available literature addressing the role of supervisors (corporate administrators) in stress prevention activities within the workplace and describes some desirable training courses. In most successful stress management programs or programs that promote mental health, the provision of training for supervisors has been an important strategy. Several reports have asserted that proper training is an effective method of reducing worksite stress and improving job satisfaction in workers, but few prospective intervention studies investigating the truth of these reports have been made. Additional research is necessary to assess the validity of various training programs. The structure of organizations and employment systems has recently begun to change, and the traditional employee-supervisor relationship is slowly disappearing in some enterprises, so that the role of supervisors with regard to stress management may need to be revised.

[Job stress control at workplace: how to plan and conduct]

This review addressed that stress control activities at workplace could be classified into four categories: (1) improvement of work environment; (2) education/training; (3) health care for stress; (4) mental health service. Research has demonstrated that each of these activities is effective to some extent. The review also pointed out that stress control at workplace could be planned and conducted under occupational health systems, e.g., occupational safety & health management system. Then I proposed a possible effective strategy for planning and conducting stress control at workplace.