Industrial Health
Online ISSN : 1880-8026
Print ISSN : 0019-8366
ISSN-L : 0019-8366
Volume 54, Issue 5
Displaying 1-11 of 11 articles from this issue
Editorial
Original Articles
  • Guiyuan ZOU, Xiuying SHEN, Xiaohong TIAN, Chunqin LIU, Guopeng LI, Lin ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 389-395
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 25, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The present survey investigated the association between resilience, burnout and psychological distress among Chinese female nurses. A total of 366 female nurses were enrolled in our study. A series of self-reported questionnaires that dispose of the following constructs: psychological distress, burnout, and resilience were estimated. The hierarchical linear regression models were used to evaluate the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between burnout and psychological distress. Results of the survey showed 85.5% nurses experienced psychological distress. Resilience was negatively related to psychological distress and burnout whereas burnout was positively associated with psychological distress. Mediation analysis revealed that resilience could partially mediate the relationship between the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and psychological distress. This study highlights the mediator of resilience between burnout and psychological distress of female nurses. As such, interventions that attend to resilience training may be the focus for future clinical and research endeavors.

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  • Akihiro NAKADA, Shinichi IWASAKI, Masaru KANCHIKA, Takehisa NAKAO, Yas ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 396-402
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 25, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Japanese teachers are mentally and physically burdened with various work stressors. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived individual level occupational stress including role problems among Japanese schoolteachers. This study included 1,006 teachers working in public schools in a Japanese city. The Japanese version of Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, and the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire was used to evaluate occupational stress and three measures of social support. Subjects with SDS scores of more than 50 were categorized into the "depressive group." We examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived individual level occupational stress using multiple logistic regression analyses. A total of 202 (20.1%) teachers belonged to the depressive group. We found that high role ambiguity, high role conflict, high quantitative workload, and low social support from family or friends were significantly related to depressive symptoms. To moderate role ambiguity and role conflict experienced by teachers, it is necessary to clarify the priority order of teachers' work. Furthermore, it is necessary to reduce workload by focusing on the content of teachers' work and the setting of education itself. Focusing on these elements will reduce teachers' depressive symptoms.

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  • Francesca TOMBOLINI, Stefano LISTRANI, Antonella CAMPOPIANO, Carmela P ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 403-409
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Penetration measurements through commercially available filtering facepieces were performed with monodisperse DEHS aerosols ranging from 0.03 μm to 0.40 μm (either singly charged or neutralized), before and after 500 mg of paraffin oil loading. The distinct behavior of Coulomb and polarization capture efficiency is studied: as in the case of non loading also in the case of loading 500 mg of paraffin oil, the electrostatic capture mechanisms are mainly due to the Coulomb contribution up to aerosol particle diameter of about 0.10 μm, just when the polarization contribution becomes substantial. Both Coulomb and polarization capture mechanisms are influenced by the presence of 500 mg of paraffin oil, resulting less effective than the oil unloaded case of about 12% and 11%, respectively. By the occupational hygiene point of view, there is a degradation in the filter performance due to oil loading that the user does not realize because there is no remarkable variation in the breathing resistance.

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  • Jin-Ha YOON, Mo-Yeol KANG
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 410-420
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: April 05, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    To examine the association between spouses' weekly working hours (SWWH) and psychological symptoms such as depressive symptom and suicidal ideation. We used data from the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2012). We collected information about general characteristics, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and working hours. After inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, a sample of 8,056 house units was used for analysis. A multiple logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between SWWH and depressive symptoms, as well as suicidal ideation, to estimate the odds ratio (OR). The relationship between SWWH and psychological symptoms were linear in husbands, and J-shaped in wives. ORs for husbands' depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation increased according to increase in SWWH (p-values for trend were 0.0045 and <0.001, respectively). Crude ORs for wives' depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation decreased until SWWH of 40 to 49 hours, but increased after SWWH of 40 to 49 hours (all p-values were below 0.01). Similar trends were observed after adjustment for age, obesity, household income, and one's own weekly working hours, up to 1.33 and 1.57 in husbands, and 1.29 and 1.32 in wives, respectively. SWWH is negatively associated with mental health.

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  • Iselin REKNES, Ståle EINARSEN, Ståle PALLESEN, Bjørn BJORVATN, Bente E ...
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 421-432
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 01, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The aim of the present study was to investigate if bullied nurses have a more negative coping style when facing stressful events than do non-bullied nurses, and to determine if coping style moderates the well-established bullying-anxiety relationship. Cohort data were gathered in 2008/2009 and 2010 with a time lag of approximately one year for all respondents. At T1 2059 Norwegian nurses participated, whereof 1582 also responded at T2. A t-test and a hierarchical regression analysis were conducted to obtain results for the hypothesized relationships. The results show that bullied nurses use an active goal-oriented coping style less often compared to non-bullied nurses. Furthermore, active goal-oriented coping seems beneficial only when exposure to bullying behaviors is very low. This effect diminishes however as the bullying behavior intensifies. Hence, victims of bullying seem to cope more negatively with stressful events than do others. On the other hand, high exposure to bullying behaviors has negative consequences for the subsequent level of anxiety for those affected, regardless of their general coping style.

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  • Tomohiro ISHIMARU, Sara ARPHORN, Ann JIRAPONGSUWAN
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 433-438
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: April 29, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    In Thailand, taxi drivers employed in the informal sector often experience hazardous working conditions. Previous studies revealed that elevated Hematocrit (HCT) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study assessed factors associated with HCT in taxi drivers to predict their occupational CVD risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 298 male taxi drivers who joined a health check-up campaign in Bangkok, Thailand. HCT and body mass index were retrieved from participant health check-up files. Self-administered questionnaires assessed demographics, driving mileage, working hours, and lifestyle. Statistical associations were analyzed using stepwise linear regression. Our results showed that obesity (p=0.007), daily alcohol drinking (p=0.003), and current or past smoking (p=0.016) were associated with higher HCT levels. While working hours were not directly associated with HCT levels in the current study, the effect on overworking is statistically arguable because most participants worked substantially longer hours. Our findings suggest that taxi drivers' CVD risk may be increased by their unhealthy work styles. Initiatives to improve general working conditions for taxi drivers should take into account health promotion and CVD prevention. The policy of providing periodic health check-ups is important to make workers in the informal sector aware of their health status.

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  • Maya PROFIS, Tzahit SIMON-TUVAL
    Article type: Original Article
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 439-447
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 01, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    To compare the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors, including: spiritual growth, nutrition, physical activity, interpersonal relations, health responsibility, and stress management, of healthcare workers with workers of other professions. Cross-sectional observational study among a convenience sample of 285 healthcare workers and 137 of other professions. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II), a 52-item measure regarding the six components of healthy lifestyle. Demographic characteristics, education, income, work duration and self-rated health were also collected. Multivariable linear models were specified for each of the components of healthy lifestyle. Both groups were comparable in their age, family status, income and self-rated health. Results of multivariable linear models revealed that healthcare workers adopt better nutrition (β=0.228, p<0.001), more physical activity (β=0.133, p=0.049), and greater health responsibility (β=0.131, p=0.016), compared to other professions. Such differences were not found with regard to spiritual growth (β=0.097, p=0.121), interpersonal relations (β=0.039, p=0.444), or stress management (β=0.053, p=0.299). Healthcare workers adopt better healthy lifestyle only in components that may be perceived to have direct influence on health outcomes, namely nutrition, physical activity, and health responsibility. Further research that will explore the reasons for the observed differences may enable designing health-improving interventions.

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Field Report
  • Kazunori IKEGAMI, Masayuki HASEGAWA, Hajime ANDO, Koichi HATA, Hiroko ...
    Article type: Field Report
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 448-459
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 25, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    This study examines the acute and chronic respiratory effects of toner exposure based on markers for interstitial pneumonia, oxidative stress and pulmonary function tests. A total of 112 subjects working in a Japanese toner and photocopier manufacturing company participated in this study in 2004. We annually conducted personal exposure measurements, pulmonary function tests, chest X–ray examinations, biomarkers, and questionnaires on respiratory symptoms to the subjects. We report in this paper the results of the analysis of combined annual survey point data from 2004 to 2008 and data from three annual survey points, 2004, 2008, and 2013. During these survey periods, we observed that none of subjects had a new onset of respiratory disease or died of such a disease. In both the analyses, there were no significant differences in each biomarker and pulmonary function tests within the subjects, nor between a toner–handling group and a non–toner–handling group, except for a few results on pulmonary function tests. The findings of this study suggest that there were no acute and chronic respiratory effects of toner exposure in this cohort group, although the number of subjects was small and the level of toner exposure in this worksite was low.

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Country Report
  • Wan-Suk CHOI, Bo-Kyung KIM, Ki-Do KIM, Ok-Kon MOON, Dong-Moon YEUM
    Article type: Country Report
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 460-468
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: March 25, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    This study examined the impact of the number of painful stimuli on life satisfaction among workers who experienced an industrial accident and investigated how self-esteem and sleeping time affected life satisfaction. The Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service conducted the first nationwide panel survey on occupational health and safety insurance in 2013–2014 through a stratified systematic sampling on 2,000 industrial accident workers who completed convalescence. Based on the dataset, our study analyzed 1,832 workers experiencing an industrial accident after excluding 168 disease patients. For the research model analysis, a four-stage hierarchical regression analysis technique was applied using the SPSS regression analysis Macro program of PROCESS Procedure. To test mediated indirect effects of the self-esteem and sleeping time, the bootstrapping technique was applied. Life satisfaction, self-esteem and sleeping time decreased as the number of painful stimuli increased. Life satisfaction decreased as self-esteem and sleeping time decreased. On balance, the partial mediation model confirmed that self-esteem and sleeping time both mediate the impact of the number of painful stimuli on life satisfaction.

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  • Ronald FILOMENO, Ai IKEDA, Takeshi TANIGAWA
    Article type: Country Report
    2016 Volume 54 Issue 5 Pages 469-475
    Published: September 30, 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 08, 2016
    Advance online publication: April 28, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) has emerged as a global public health problem. OSAS is largely recognized as a factor for increased risk of vehicular related accidents for those diagnosed and undiagnosed. This article serves as a country report that reviews current and potential policies regarding OSAS induced drowsy driving in both Japan and the United States of America. In addition to reviewing policies, various case finding techniques are also explored as methods to reduce accidents due to OSAS induced drowsy driving. Evaluation of the effectiveness of methods used in the United States of America and Japan for safe driving among commercial drivers is a key step to decreasing vehicular related accidents through stronger policy development and subsequent enforcement. Case finding has emerged as one of the most effective and realistic methods to detect OSAS in the driving population based on research done in the U.S. and Japan. Subsequently, case finding can lead to treatment to further prevent future accidents from occurring due to OSAS drowsy driving.

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