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Sznajder KK, Harlow SD, Wang J, Tso L, Ashagre Y, Han C. Factors associated with symptoms of poor mental health among women factory workers in China's supply chain. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:1209-1219. [PMID: 35001196 PMCID: PMC8743097 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01820-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Foreign direct investment (FDI) to China has motivated increased labor migration to export processing zones (EPZs). Work environments with high occupational stress, such as production line jobs typical in EPZs, have been associated with adverse mental health symptoms. METHODS A cross-sectional survey that examined occupational stress and symptoms of poor mental health was implemented among Chinese women factory workers in three electronic factories in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area. Symptoms of mental health measured in the survey were hopelessness, depression, not feeling useful or needed, and trouble concentrating. Crude and adjusted prevalence odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated with logistic regression. RESULTS Responses were collected from 696 women factory workers. Participants were aged 18-56 years (mean 28 ± 5.8), 66% of whom were married and 25% of whom were migrants. Nearly 50% of participants reported at least one symptom of poor mental health. After adjusting for covariates associated with each outcome in the bivariate analysis, high job strain was associated with hopelessness (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.58, 4.56), not feeling useful (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.22, 3.43), and feeling depressed (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.16, 2.72). CONCLUSION This study expands on the international body of research on the well-being of women working in the global supply chain and provides evidence on the associations between occupational stressors, migration, and social support on symptoms of poor mental health among women workers. Future research to better understand and improve psychological health and to prevent suicide among workers in China's factories is critical to improve the health of China's labor force.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. K. Sznajder
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - S. D. Harlow
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - J. Wang
- Department of Social Medicine, College of Health Management, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning China
| | - L. Tso
- Anthropology, Global Health and Medical Humanities Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA ,Center for Health and Human Development Studies, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Y. Ashagre
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 USA
| | - C. Han
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, China
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Ding G, Zhao X, Wang Y, Song D, Chen D, Deng Y, Xing W, Dong H, Zhou Y, Li D, Hou H. Evaluation of the relationship between cognitive impairment and suboptimal health status in a northern Chinese population: a cross-sectional study. J Glob Health 2020; 10:010804. [PMID: 32257168 PMCID: PMC7101211 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.010804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Suboptimal health status (SHS) is an intermediate health status between ideal health and illness. As a determinant of cardiovascular disease and stroke, SHS is hypothesized to be associated with the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with SHS have poor cognitive ability based on a community-based cohort in northern Chinese population. Methods 3524 participants who were enrolled in Jidong cohort 2015 in Tangshan City were investigated in this study. Cognitive function was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). SHS level was evaluated using a self-reporting Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25). The relationship between SHS and cognitive function was analyzed with logistic regression analysis, by which odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 3.4% (121/3524) in our study, with the prevalence rates of 1.9% (34/1750) among men and 4.9% (87/1774) in women. The medians of total score of MMSE were 28 (interquartile range (IQR) = 27-29) in the SHS group, and 29 (IQR = 27-30) in the ideal health group. Logistic regression analysis showed that SHS was significantly correlated with cognitive impairment (adjusted OR = 2.936, 95% CI = 1.428-6.033). With regard to gender, the OR was 5.067 (95% CI = 1.346-19.068) in men, which was higher than that in women (OR = 2.324, 95% CI = 1.130-4.779). Conclusions SHS might be a risk factor for cognitive function in northern Chinese population. Early screening of SHS individuals, as well as urgent treatment of SHS might contribute to the prevention of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyong Ding
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China.,Equal authorship
| | - Xuan Zhao
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China.,Equal authorship
| | - Youxin Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Equal authorship
| | - Daiyu Song
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dongzhen Chen
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yang Deng
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Weijia Xing
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hualei Dong
- Taishan Hospital of Shandong Province, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dong Li
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haifeng Hou
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong Province, China
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Jerg-Bretzke L, Limbrecht-Ecklundt K, Walter S, Spohrs J, Beschoner P. Correlations of the "Work-Family Conflict" With Occupational Stress-A Cross-Sectional Study Among University Employees. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:134. [PMID: 32256393 PMCID: PMC7093324 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The working conditions at universities and hospitals are reported to be stressful. Several national and international studies have investigated occupational stress in hospitals. However, scientific studies at colleges and universities addressing psycho-social stress factors and their potential consequences are scarce. In this context, the consequences and correlations of the factor of work-family conflict, in particular, are currently uninvestigated. The aim of our study was to assess data on psychosocial stress in the context of the compatibility of work and family. Methods: Data were gathered through a cross-sectional-study, N = 844 (55% female, 41% male), on university staff (42.3% scientists, 14.3% physicians, 19.4% employees in administration, and 19.3% employees in service). Participants filled out questionnaires to provide their personal data and details of their work and private life conditions. For this purpose, we used the Work-Family and Family-Work Conflict Scales, Effort-Reward Inventory and Overcommitment Scale (ERI, OC), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), short-form Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and questions on their subjective health. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22. Results: We found high levels of stress parameters in the total sample: extra work (83%), fixed-term work contracts (53%), overcommitment (OC, 26%), Effort-Reward Imbalance (18%, ERI Ratio > cut-off 0.715), work-family conflict (WFC, 35%), and family-work conflict (FWC, 39%). As hypothesized, we found significant correlations of both WFC and FWC with psychosocial work strain (ERI Ratio) as well as overcommitment (OC). Mental and somatic health parameters also had a significant positive correlation with WFC and FWC. Using a regression analysis (N = 844), we identified WFC as a predictor of burnout, while emotional exhaustion, extra work, and overcommitment could be identified as predictors of WFC and FWC. Discussion: The results of our study point toward deficits in the compatibility of work life and private life in the work fields of science, colleges, and universities. Furthermore, we found indicators that work-family conflicts (interrole conflicts) have an impact on mental and somatic health. These work-family conflicts should be targets for preventions and interventions with the aim of improving the work-life balance and mental and somatic wellbeing of employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kerstin Limbrecht-Ecklundt
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Steffen Walter
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jennifer Spohrs
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
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Latent class analysis to evaluate performance of plasma cortisol, plasma catecholamines, and SHSQ-25 for early recognition of suboptimal health status. EPMA J 2018; 9:299-305. [PMID: 30174765 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-018-0144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Chronic stress is associated with suboptimal health status (SHS) which is a new public health challenge in China and worldwide. Plasma stress hormones may act as potential objective biomarkers for SHS measure. This study was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of plasma cortisol, catecholamine adrenaline/noradrenaline, and SHS questionnaires (SHSQ) for SHS using latent class analysis (LCA) in the absence of a gold standard. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 868 employees in Beijing. The SHS questionnaires-25 (SHSQ-25) was distributed, and plasma cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline were measured in the survey. LCA was used to assess the performance of both subjective and objective measures for SHS recognition. Results Akaike information criterion (AIC) and consistent AIC (CAIC) was 14.11 and 54.48 respectively, indicating that the model was well fitted. The sensitivity and specificity of plasma cortisol were 0.836 (95% CI 0.811-0.861) and 0.840 (95% CI 0.816-0.864), respectively. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of SHSQ-25 was 0.743 (95% CI 0.709-777), while the AUC of plasma adrenaline was 0.688 (95% CI 0.651-0.725). The prevalence of SHS in the investigated population was 34.78%. Conclusion Plasma cortisol is a valuable biomarker for SHS detection, whereas SHSQ-25 is more suitable for SHS screening in the population-based health survey. The accuracy and applicability of plasma adrenaline are inferior to cortisol and SHSQ-25, respectively. LCA has merit to evaluate performance of plasma cortisol, catecholamines, and SHSQ-25 for recognition of SHS in the absence of a gold standard test.
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Liang YZ, Chu X, Meng SJ, Zhang J, Wu LJ, Yan YX. Relationship between stress-related psychosocial work factors and suboptimal health among Chinese medical staff: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e018485. [PMID: 29511008 PMCID: PMC5855386 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to develop and validate a model to measure psychosocial factors at work among medical staff in China based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The second aim of the current study was to clarify the association between stress-related psychosocial work factors and suboptimal health status. DESIGN The cross-sectional study was conducted using clustered sampling method. SETTING Xuanwu Hospital, a 3A grade hospital in Beijing. PARTICIPANTS Nine hundred and fourteen medical staff aged over 40 years were sampled. Seven hundred and ninety-seven valid questionnaires were collected and used for further analyses. The sample included 94% of the Han population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaires-25 were used to assess the psychosocial factors at work and suboptimal health status, respectively. CFA was conducted to establish the evaluating method of COPSOQ. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the relationship between suboptimal health status and stress-related psychosocial work factors among Chinese medical staff. RESULTS There was a strong correlation among the five dimensions of COPSOQ based on the first-order factor model. Then, we established two second-order factors including negative and positive psychosocial work stress factors to evaluate psychosocial factors at work, and the second-order factor model fit well. The high score in negative (OR (95% CI)=1.47 (1.34 to 1.62), P<0.001) and positive (OR (95% CI)=0.96 (0.94 to 0.98), P<0.001) psychosocial work factors increased and decreased the risk of suboptimal health, respectively. This relationship remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounders and when using different cut-offs of suboptimal health status. CONCLUSIONS Among medical staff, the second-order factor model was a suitable method to evaluate the COPSOQ. The negative and positive psychosocial work stress factors might be the risk and protective factors of suboptimal health, respectively. Moreover, negative psychosocial work stress was the most associated factor to predict suboptimal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Zhi Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chu
- Health Management Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Jiao Meng
- Department of Education, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Juan Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Xiang Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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Huang WL, Guo YL, Chen PC, Wang J, Chu PC. Association between Emotional Symptoms and Job Demands in an Asian Electronics Factory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14091085. [PMID: 28925986 PMCID: PMC5615622 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14091085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Various work-related issues including mental health have been described for the electronic industry. Although East Asian countries play important roles in the electronics industry, the association between job demands and emotional symptoms has been rarely examined. The present study recruited 603 workers from either office or clean room environments in an electronics factory in Taiwan. Their personal factors, work-related factors, and emotional symptoms were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. The symptoms of depression and hostility were reported in 24.88% and 24.38% of the subjects, respectively, while 14.93% reported both. A multivariate analysis showed that, overall, women workers were more likely to have emotional symptoms than male workers (odds ration (OR) = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.02-2.18). Among clean room workers, working under high pressure (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.05-3.21), conflicting demands (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.30-3.57), and social isolation at work (OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.23-7.30) were associated with emotional symptoms. The findings suggest that in the Asian electronics industry, for women, working under high pressure, conflicting demands, and social isolation at work are risk factors for emotional symptoms, especially for clean room workers. Further large-scale, longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm and prevent the mental health problems in this fast-evolving, highly competitive industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Lieh Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Yunlin County 640, Taiwan.
| | - Yue Leon Guo
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Pau-Chung Chen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
- Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Jui Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Ching Chu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
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Wang C, Li S, Li T, Yu S, Dai J, Liu X, Zhu X, Ji Y, Wang J. Using the Job Burden-Capital Model of Occupational Stress to Predict Depression and Well-Being among Electronic Manufacturing Service Employees in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:E819. [PMID: 27529267 PMCID: PMC4997505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13080819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify the association between occupational stress and depression-well-being by proposing a comprehensive and flexible job burden-capital model with its corresponding hypotheses. METHODS For this research, 1618 valid samples were gathered from the electronic manufacturing service industry in Hunan Province, China; self-rated questionnaires were administered to participants for data collection after obtaining their written consent. The proposed model was fitted and tested through structural equation model analysis. RESULTS Single-factor correlation analysis results indicated that coefficients between all items and dimensions had statistical significance. The final model demonstrated satisfactory global goodness of fit (CMIN/DF = 5.37, AGFI = 0.915, NNFI = 0.945, IFI = 0.952, RMSEA = 0.052). Both the measurement and structural models showed acceptable path loadings. Job burden and capital were directly associated with depression and well-being or indirectly related to them through personality. Multi-group structural equation model analyses indicated general applicability of the proposed model to basic features of such a population. Gender, marriage and education led to differences in the relation between occupational stress and health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The job burden-capital model of occupational stress-depression and well-being was found to be more systematic and comprehensive than previous models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
- Graduate School of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Shuang Li
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Tao Li
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Shanfa Yu
- Henan Provincial Institute for Occupational Health, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Junming Dai
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xiaoman Liu
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Xiaojun Zhu
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Yuqing Ji
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Jin Wang
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
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Association of Psychosocial Work Hazards With Depression and Suboptimal Health in Executive Employees. J Occup Environ Med 2016; 58:728-36. [PMID: 27206130 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate whether psychosocial work-related hazards, measured by workplace justice and employment insecurity, are associated with depression and suboptimal health status in Taiwan's executive-level employees. METHODS There were 365 executives who have received a series of cardiovascular health examinations, blood sampling, and self-reported questionnaires, which included the psychosocial work-related hazards and the CES-D scale. Suboptimal health status was defined as the presence of dyslipidemia or prediabetes. RESULTS Executive-level employees perceived lower workplace justice and higher employment insecurity and had a significantly higher risk of depression (CES-D scores ≥16 or ≥23). However, workplace justice was identified as a significant determinant factor that was negative for dyslipidemia but protective for prediabetes. CONCLUSION This study supports the fact that psychosocial work-related hazards can independently contribute to the risk of developing depression, prediabetes, and dyslipemia in executives.
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Lin P, Chen C, Pan S, Chen Y, Pan C, Hung H, Wu M. The association between rotating shift work and increased occupational stress in nurses. J Occup Health 2015; 57:307-15. [DOI: 10.1539/joh.13-0284-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pei‐Chen Lin
- Department of Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Chung‐Hey Chen
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences & Department of NursingNational Cheng Kung UniversityTaiwan
- College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
| | - Shung‐Mei Pan
- Department of NursingKaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Department of NursingKaohsiung Municipal Ta‐Tung HospitalTaiwan
| | - Yao‐Mei Chen
- College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Department of NursingKaohsiung Municipal Hsiao‐Kang HospitalTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Hong Pan
- Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor AffairsExecutive YuanTaiwan
| | - Hsin‐Chia Hung
- Department of NursingCollege of Health and Nursing, Meiho UniversityTaiwan
| | - Ming‐Tsang Wu
- Department of Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Department of Family MedicineKaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityTaiwan
- Center of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao‐Kang, HospitalTaiwan
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González Gutiérrez PA, Góngora JLV, Gillen M, Krause N. Job stress and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among intensive care unit nurses: a comparison between job demand-control and effort-reward imbalance models. Am J Ind Med 2014; 57:214-21. [PMID: 24166790 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to compare job demand-control (JDC) and effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models in examining the association of job stress with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and to evaluate the utility of a combined model. METHODS This study analyzed cross-sectional survey data obtained from a nationwide random sample of 304 intensive-care unit (ICU) nurses. Demographic and job factors were controlled in the analyses using logistic regression. RESULTS Both JDC and ERI variables had strong and statistically significant associations with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort-reward imbalance had stronger associations than job strain or iso-strain with musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort-reward imbalance alone showed similar or stronger associations with musculoskeletal symptoms compared to combined variables of the JDC and ERI models. CONCLUSIONS The ERI model appears to capture the magnitude of the musculoskeletal health risk among nurses associated with job stress at least as well and possibly better than the JDC model. Our findings suggest that combining the two models provides little gain compared to using effort-reward imbalance only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Alejandro González Gutiérrez
- Pedro Alejandro González Gutiérrez & Juan Luis Verdecía Góngora, Centro de Investigaciones y Servicios Ambientales y Tecnológicos (CISAT)-CITMA, Calle 18 # 1, Entre 1a y Maceo, El Llano, Holguín 80 100. Cuba; e-mail:
| | - Juan Luis Verdecía Góngora
- Pedro Alejandro González Gutiérrez & Juan Luis Verdecía Góngora, Centro de Investigaciones y Servicios Ambientales y Tecnológicos (CISAT)-CITMA, Calle 18 # 1, Entre 1a y Maceo, El Llano, Holguín 80 100. Cuba; e-mail:
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HARUYAMA Y, MATSUZUKI H, TOMITA S, MUTO T, HARATANI T, MUTO S, ITO A. Burn and cut injuries related to job stress among kitchen workers in Japan. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2014; 52:113-120. [PMID: 24429518 PMCID: PMC4202755 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2013-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To clarify the correlation between kitchen work-related burns and cuts and job stress, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted involving 991 kitchen workers among 126 kitchen facilities. The demographics, condition of burns and cuts, job stress with the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ), health condition, and work-related and environmental factors were surveyed. Multiple logistic regression models and trend tests were used according to quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) of each sub-scale BJSQ. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, burns/cuts were associated with a higher score category (Q4) of job demands (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.10-6.02/OR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.30-5.69), psychological stress (OR: 4.49, 95% CI: 2.05-9.81/OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.84-6.72), and physical stress (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.20-4.98/OR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.16-4.01). The ORs of the burn/cut injures increased from Q1 to Q4 with job demands (p for trend = 0.045/0.003), psychological stress (p for trend<0.001/0.001), and physical stress (p for trend = 0.006/0.005), respectively. These findings suggest that kitchen work-related burns and cuts are more likely to be correlated with job stress, and the higher the job stress score, the higher the frequency of burns and cuts among kitchen workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo HARUYAMA
- Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University
School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hiroe MATSUZUKI
- Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University
School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Nutrition and Life Science, Kanagawa Institute
of Technology, Japan
| | - Shigeru TOMITA
- Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University
School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takashi MUTO
- Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University
School of Medicine, Japan
| | | | - Shigeki MUTO
- Seirei Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine,
Japan
| | - Akiyoshi ITO
- University of Occupational and Environmental Health,
Japan
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12
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Kim MH, Kim H, Paek D. The health impacts of semiconductor production: an epidemiologic review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2013; 20:95-114. [PMID: 24999845 DOI: 10.1179/2049396713y.0000000050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite concerns over the harmful health effects of semiconductor production, epidemiological studies have shown mixed results. OBJECTIVES We aim to critically appraise epidemiologic studies to date, and to suggest future research and actions to protect workers in semiconductor industry. METHODS Epidemiologic studies were identified through electronic database searches, review of reference lists of relevant published works, and expert consultations, and were narratively reviewed. RESULTS Most evidence suggests reproductive risks from fabrication jobs, including spontaneous abortion (SAB), congenital malformation, and reduced fertility. Although chemicals have been suspected as causal agents, knowledge of the likely contribution(s) from specific exposures is still limited. Evidence of cancer risk seems to be equivocal. However, the available studies had serious limitations including healthy worker effects (HWEs), information bias, and insufficient power, all of which are associated with underestimation. Nevertheless, excess risks for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), leukemia, brain tumor, and breast cancer were observed. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring and innovative research based on international collaboration with a focus on sentinel events are required.
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Garbarino S, Cuomo G, Chiorri C, Magnavita N. Association of work-related stress with mental health problems in a special police force unit. BMJ Open 2013; 3:e002791. [PMID: 23872288 PMCID: PMC3717472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Law and order enforcement tasks may expose special force police officers to significant psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between job stress and the presence of mental health symptoms while controlling sociodemographical, occupational and personality variables in special force police officers. METHOD At different time points, 292 of 294 members of the 'VI Reparto Mobile', a special police force engaged exclusively in the enforcement of law and order, responded to our invitation to complete questionnaires for the assessment of personality traits, work-related stress (using the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and the Effort-Reward-Imbalance (ERI) models) and mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and burnout. RESULTS Regression analyses showed that lower levels of support and reward and higher levels of effort and overcommitment were associated with higher levels of mental health symptoms. Psychological screening revealed 21 (7.3%) likely cases of mild depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI≥10). Officers who had experienced a discrepancy between work effort and rewards showed a marked increase in the risk of depression (OR 7.89, 95% CI 2.32 to 26.82) when compared with their counterparts who did not perceive themselves to be in a condition of distress. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that work-related stress may play a role in the development of mental health problems in police officers. The prevalence of mental health symptoms in the cohort investigated here was low, but not negligible in the case of depression. Since special forces police officers have to perform sensitive tasks for which a healthy psychological functioning is needed, the results of this study suggest that steps should be taken to prevent distress and improve the mental well-being of these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Garbarino
- State Police Health Service Department, Ministry of the Interior, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuomo
- Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Chiorri
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology Area, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Department of Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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Are Occupational Factors and Mental Difficulty Associated With Occupational Injury? J Occup Environ Med 2011; 53:1452-9. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0b013e318237a14b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Arial M, Wild P, Benoit D, Chouaniere D, Danuser B. Multi-level modeling of aspects associated with poor mental health in a sample of prehospital emergency professionals. Am J Ind Med 2011; 54:847-57. [PMID: 21858851 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this paper is to investigate the respective influence of work characteristics, the effort-reward ratio, and overcommitment on the poor mental health of out-of-hospital care providers. METHODS 333 out-of-hospital care providers answered a questionnaire that included queries on mental health (GHQ-12), demographics, health-related information and work characteristics, questions from the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and items about overcommitment. A two-level multiple regression was performed between mental health (the dependent variable) and the effort-reward ratio, the overcommitment score, weekly number of interventions, percentage of non-prehospital transport of patients out of total missions, gender, and age. Participants were first-level units, and ambulance services were second-level units. We also shadowed ambulance personnel for a total of 416 hr. RESULTS With cutoff points of 2/3 and 3/4 positive answers on the GHQ-12, the percentages of potential cases with poor mental health were 20% and 15%, respectively. The effort-reward ratio was associated with poor mental health (P < 0.001), irrespective of age or gender. Overcommitment was associated with poor mental health; this association was stronger in women (β = 0.054) than in men (β = 0.020). The percentage of prehospital missions out of total missions was only associated with poor mental health at the individual level. CONCLUSIONS Emergency medical services should pay attention to the way employees perceive their efforts and the rewarding aspects of their work: an imbalance of those aspects is associated with poor mental health. Low perceived esteem appeared particularly associated with poor mental health. This suggests that supervisors of emergency medical services should enhance the value of their employees' work. Employees with overcommitment should also receive appropriate consideration. Preventive measures should target individual perceptions of effort and reward in order to improve mental health in prehospital care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Arial
- Institute for Work and Health, Lausanne University, Switzerland.
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