Abstract
To assess the validity of a simple 4-point scale of perceived mental stress, we analyzed relationships of perceived mental stress with 6 job stressors : demand, control, skill underutilization, workplace human relations, physical environment, and job satisfaction. We also examined the association of lifestyle with perceived mental stress. Study subjects were 5, 159 male and 1, 468 female Japanese workers aged 35 years and above in 2002. Awareness of stress was assessed by the question : “Do you have much stress in your life?”, and participants were asked to select one among 4 responses : 'very much', 'much', 'ordinary', or 'little'. Six job stressors were assessed by a Simple Questionnaire Concerning Work Related Stress.
There were positive associations between perceived mental stress and all 6 job stressors in men, and 5 job stressors except skill underutilization in women. Therefore, we considered that a simple 4-point scale of perceived mental stress was reliable to evaluate individual stress.
The subjects with highly perceived stress were more likely to have shift time or midnight work, and to have overtime work. The sleep duration on weekdays tended to decrease, the proportion of subjects with two or more sleep-related complaints tended to increase, and physical activity tended to decrease according to the increase in the level of perceived stress. The proportion of subjects who lacked confidants, and who lost ikigai (subjective well-being) was linearly associated with an increased level of perceived stress. Perceived mental stress has a reasonable association with the individual's daily mental and physical stress reaction and coping, as well as social support.
