Study of cases of overwork-related disorders (“KAROSHI”) of public elementary and secondary school teachers among local public service personnel.

Abstract

This study examined the characteristics and workloads of overwork-related disorders’ cases among teachers in public elementary and junior high school. We examined 88 cases, including 52 cases of cerebrovascular/cardiovascular diseases (CCVD) and 36 cases of mental disorders, who were compensated between January 2010 and March 2019. The results showed that men accounted for approximately 80% of the cases of CCVD per million people, intracerebral hemorrhage was the most common diagnosis. For mental disorders, the number of cases per million people by gender was higher for men than for women. The depressive episode was the most common diagnosis. The advisor of club activities was the most common workload in the cases of CCVD, affecting the cases of “long working hours.” And the most common workload in mental disorders was public interpersonal conflicts. “The advisor of club activities” and “interpersonal relationships with parents” contributed to the incidence of CCVD and mental disorders. We propose that the above factors should be solved as measures to prevent overwork-related disorders among public elementary and secondary school teachers.