Effects of stress management program for teachers in Japan: a pilot study

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a stress management program for teachers on their stress responses, social support, and coping. Participants (n=24) were assigned to either an intervention or a waiting list control group. A five-session program, including psychoeducation, group discussion, role-playing and relaxation training, was conducted for the intervention group at two week intervals. Eight participants from each of the groups responded to pre- and post-intervention questionnaire surveys. The positive intervention effect was significant for social support from co-workers (p=0.035), whereas the negative intervention effect was significant for proactive coping (p=0.033). No significant effect was observed for stress responses (vigor, anger, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and somatic stress responses) (p>0.05). The positive intervention effect was marginally significant for social support from co-workers (p=0.085) and anger (p=0.057) among those who at first had high stress response scores in the pre-intervention survey (n=5 and n=4 for the intervention and waiting list control groups, respectively). Furthermore, the positive intervention effect was significant for social support from co-workers (p=0.021) and marginally significant for resignation coping (p=0.070) among those who at first had high job control scores (n=4 and n=5 for the intervention and waiting list control groups, respectively). Results showed that the stress management program conducted in this study contributed to increasing social support from co-workers. This study suggests that a program that focuses on a particular subgroup (e.g., those with high stress responses or high job control) might be effective in enhancing coping skills, increasing social support, and reducing stress responses.     

Effects of Computer-based Stress Management Training on Psychological Well-being and Work Performance in Japanese Employees: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-based stress management training (SMT) program in improving employees’ psychological well-being and work performance. A total of 12 work units (N=263) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (8 work units, n=142) or to a wait-list control group (4 work units, n=121). All participants were requested to answer online questionnaires assessing psychological well-being as a primary outcome, and coping style, social support, and knowledge about stress management as secondary outcomes at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 2 months after the intervention (T2). The group × time interaction was tested using a mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA. Results showed a group × time interaction for “knowledge about stress management” in the entire sample. Among participants who had more than 3 d of training, a significant group × time interaction was observed for “problem-solving” and “avoidance and suppression” as well as “knowledge about stress management.” Our computer-based stress management program was effective for improving knowledge about stress management. It was also effective for improving coping skills in instances where participants had enough time (at least 3 d) to complete all sessions.     

Effects of the job stress education for supervisors on psychological distress and job performance among their immediate subordinates: a supervisor-based randomized controlled trial

As job stress is now one of the biggest health-related problems in the workplace, several education programs for supervisors have been conducted to reduce job stress. We conducted a supervisor-based randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of an education program on their subordinates' psychological distress and job performance. The subjects were 301 employees (46 supervisors and 255 subordinates) in a Japanese sake brewery. First, we randomly allocated supervisors to the education group (24 supervisors) and the waiting-list group (22 supervisors). Then, for the allocated supervisors we introduced a single-session, 60-min education program according to the guidelines for employee mental health promotion along with training that provided consulting skills combined with role-playing exercises. We conducted pre- and post-intervention (after 3 months) surveys for all subordinates to examine psychological distress and job performance. We defined the intervention group as those subordinates whose immediate supervisors received the education, and the control group was defined as those subordinates whose supervisors did not. To evaluate the effects, we employed a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Overall, the intervention effects (time x group) were not significant for psychological distress or job performance among both male (p=0.456 and 0.252) and female (p=0.714 and 0.106) subordinates. However, young male subordinates engaged in white-collar occupations showed significant intervention effects for psychological distress (p=0.012) and job performance (p=0.029). In conclusion, our study indicated a possible beneficial effect of supervisor education on the psychological distress and job performance of subordinates. This effect may vary according to specific groups.     

Association of social skills with psychological distress among female nurses in Japan

Nursing is a highly stressful occupation. Because nursing work involves interaction with patients and colleagues, competence in social skills may be a key issue in stress management among nurses. However, there are very few studies among nurses focused on social skills together with social support, both of which are important aspects of job stress. The aim of this study was to examine the interrelationships between social skills and social support with job stressors, problem-solving coping, and psychological distress among Japanese nurses. Data from a self-administered questionnaire of 1,197 female nurses who worked for 5 general hospitals in Japan were analyzed. Covariance structure analysis with structural equation modeling techniques showed that social skills and social support were positively related to each other, while they were negatively associated with psychological distress and job stressors, and positively associated with problem-solving coping. Furthermore, the direct association between social skills and psychological distress was stronger than the association between social support and psychological distress. These findings suggested that improving not only social support at work but also individual social skills is important for nurses' mental health.     

Effects of an education program for stress reduction on supervisor knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial

Supervisors at work play a large role in stress management at the workplace. Providing supervisors with necessary information and useful skills might be one effective approach that will lead to stress reduction. However, very few studies have investigated the effect of supervisor education by using a rigorous study design. In a randomized controlled trial, we tried to clarify how an education program for stress reduction influences supervisor knowledge, attitudes, and behavior concerning stress management. The subjects were 46 supervisors of an old, established sake brewery manufacturer of 301 employees. The supervisors were assigned to either the intervention group (24 supervisors) or the control group (22 supervisors). We conducted a single-session education program that included the guidelines for worker mental health promotion to the intervention group. The education program was composed of a basic education lecture and active listening training. The effects of this program on supervisor knowledge, attitudes, and behavior were measured using an original, self-administered questionnaire. The intervention effect was tested by examining an interaction effect between groups and time (before education, three and six months after education). The education favorably affected supervisor knowledge (F=7.92; p=.001). As for behavior, the intervention effect was marginally statistically significant (F=2.51; p=.088). For the attitude score, however, there were no beneficial effects. In conclusion, the provision of necessary information and useful skills to supervisors seems to improve supervisor knowledge and behavior regarding stress management at the workplace for at least six months.     

Effects of web-based psychoeducation on self-efficacy, problem solving behavior, stress responses and job satisfaction among workers: a controlled clinical trial

This study examined effects of web-based psychoeducation on self-efficacy, problem solving behavior, stress responses and job satisfaction. The program was based on social cognitive theory and was primarily aimed at increasing knowledge of stress, self-efficacy, and the use of problem solving behavior. A total of 225 employees were invited to participate in the study. Participants were assigned to an intervention (n=112) or waiting list control group (n=113). Those in the intervention group were asked to access the website and to complete learning within 1 month. To investigate the intervention effect, the change score in the outcome variable was calculated by subtracting the score at pre-intervention from that at post-intervention (1 week after completion of the learning period). Then, the difference in the scores between groups was examined using analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) with the pre-intervention score as the covariate. We detected a marginally significant difference between groups in changes in job satisfaction from pre- to post-intervention (p=0.081). Participants in the intervention group showed an increase in job satisfaction score, while those in the waiting list control group showed a decrease in it. No significant differences were detected between groups in the other indicators (p>.10). We detected significant or marginally significant intervention effects on self-efficacy, problem solving behavior, stress responses, and job satisfaction among males and younger individuals, and those who had initially higher job strain and higher interest in managing stress. Further research is required with longer time periods (controlled follow-up) and a broader sample to fully determine the intervention effect.     

基于信息-动机-行为技巧模型干预对初产妇纯母乳喂养效果评价研究

目的 探讨基于信息-动机-行为技巧模型（IMB模型）干预对初产妇纯母乳喂养的影响。方法 选择2018年在山东省某三甲医院产科住院并符合条件的206名初产妇作为研究对象。在研究对象的产前（住院期间孕妇剖宫产手术前、自然分娩前）、产后1 d、产后3~4 d、产后42 d以IMB模型为理论支持进行干预,并于干预前后采用母乳喂养自我效能量表、母乳喂养知识问卷、母乳喂养行为问卷进行调查。结果 通过干预,产前、产后1 d、产后3~4 d、产后42 d母乳喂养自我效能得分差异有统计学意义（F=150.680,P=0.000）,母乳喂养行为得分差异有统计学意义（F=226.973,P=0.000）,母乳喂养知识得分差异有统计学意义（F=176.556,P=0.000）。结论 基于IMB模型干预对提高初产妇纯母乳喂养效果具有重要意义。     

The effect of a cognitive and a physical stress-reducing programme on psychological complaints

Objectives: To investigate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of two, brief, preventive, work stress management programmes. One programme was a cognition-focused programme, the other was a newly developed intervention in which physical exercise and relaxation were combined. It was hypothesised that the newly developed intervention would be more effective in reducing psychological complaints than the cognitive intervention. Both programmes consisted of four sessions in a period of 10 weeks. Methods: From a working population engaged in a periodic health check-up, employees above a minimum stress level (n=396) were invited to participate in a randomised comparative outcome study with pre-trial, post-trial and 6-month follow-up measures. After giving informed consent 130 participants entered the study (response rate 33%). Outcome measures consisted of three self-reported questionnaires on psychological complaints. Results: It was found that both interventions revealed a positive impact on psychological complaints, burnout and fatigue, both at short-term and at 6-month follow-up. No statistical interaction effects between the two interventions were found. Calculation of the clinical significance of the effects indicated that 50% of the employees with psychological complaints who participated in the physical intervention and 60% of the employees who participated in the cognitive intervention improved and returned to functioning within normal range both in the short term and in the long term at 6 months. Conclusion: The data indicate that interventions were equally effective on psychological complaints, burnout and fatigue.     

Examining the effect of peer helping in a coping skills intervention: a randomized controlled trial for advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their family caregivers

Purpose

At the end of life, spiritual well-being is a central aspect of quality of life for many patients and their family caregivers. A prevalent spiritual value in advanced cancer patients is the need to actively give. To address this need, the current randomized trial examined whether adding a peer helping component to a coping skills intervention leads to improved meaning in life and peace for advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their caregivers. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes were also assessed.

Methods

Advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and caregivers (n = 50 dyads) were randomly assigned to a 5-session, telephone-based coping skills intervention or a peer helping + coping skills intervention. One or both dyad members had moderate–severe distress. Peer helping involved contributing to handouts on coping skills for other families coping with cancer. Patients and caregivers completed measures of meaning in life/peace, fatigue, psychological symptoms, coping self-efficacy, and emotional support. Patient pain and caregiver burden were also assessed.

Results

Small effects in favor of the coping skills group were found regarding meaning in life/peace at 1 and 5 weeks post-intervention. Other outcomes did not vary as a function of group assignment, with both groups showing small decreases in patient and caregiver fatigue and caregiver distress and burden. High recruitment and retention rates supported feasibility, and high participant satisfaction ratings supported acceptability.

Conclusions

Although a telephone-based intervention is feasible and acceptable for this population, peer helping in the context of a coping skills intervention does not enhance spiritual well-being relative to coping skills alone.

     

Screening for patients at risk of developing chronic incapacity

Formal investigations of psychiatric disorders and long-term personality characteristics have been relatively unhelpful in the prediction of future incapacity. Clinical studies of pain patients have led to a new range of more specific measurement instruments assessing different aspects of psychological functioning: such as pain behavior, distress, beliefs about pain, and coping strategies. Recent investigations of patients with acute back problems have identified a strong relationship between levels of distress, dysfunctional coping strategies, and future disability. Measurement instruments specifically validated for occupational settings still need to be developed, but preliminary studies suggest that fear of hurting/harming, job stress, and job satisfaction may be important factors. A pilot study into occupationally-oriented back pain management for the unemployed is reported. Results suggest that such clients may have significantly more rehabilitation potential than has previously been believed.     

成渝两地专业技术人员职业紧张常模的分级标准及应用

目的　建立专业技术人员职业紧张的分级评价标准 ,并应用于实践。方法　将职业紧张常模的原始分转化为均数为 5 0 ,标准差为 10的总分 (T分 ) ,根据正态分布原理制订评价标准。结果　 (1)在职业任务和个体紧张反应问卷中 ,T≥ 70分者职业任务过重 ,紧张反应程度过高 ;T值范围在 6 0～ 6 9分者职业任务较重 ,紧张反应程度较高 ;T值在 4 0～ 5 9分者职业任务和紧张反应适度 ;T<4 0分者无职业紧张和紧张反应。应对资源问卷中 ,T <30分者显示应对资源不足 ;T值范围在 30～39分者较为缺乏应对资源 ;T值范围在 4 0～ 5 9分者具有较强的应对资源 ;T≥ 6 0分者显示有很强的应对资源。 (2 )分别制作了总体常模、男性和女性常模初分转换表 ;工程技术人员、卫生技术人员、金融业务人员、法律业务人员、教学人员、新闻出版人员常模初分转换表。根据初分转换表制作了总体得分图表、男性得分图表、女性得分图表和职业得分图表。结论　根据专业技术人员职业紧张常模 ,建立了职业紧张分级标准 ,可对个体及组织进行职业紧张程度评价、职业咨询和干预措施的选择等。     

Psychological counseling as a management of stress in work place]

We have made psychological counseling service a part of a mental health program for 10,700 employees since 1980. Our counseling method is based on a psychological stress model and divided into three steps. The first is psychological stress survey by means of the Job Stress Scale (JSS). JSS was administered to a group of about 500 employees. The result of the JSS is reported to each employee by in-house letter. The second is a substructured interview for maladjusted employees found in JSS psychological stress reactions scores. The interviewer explains each of the JSS sub-scales such as job stressors, coping strategies, social support, and psychological stress reactions to interviewees. The last is psychological counseling. Counselees are chosen by the interviewer according to the following conditions: 1) request for counseling, 2) need for psychiatric treatment, 3) strong psychological stress reactions in spite of low job stressors, 4) signs of family problems. These four steps may decrease an employee's resistance to counseling.     

Improving prenatal care in pregnant women in Iranshahr,Iran: Applying Health Belief Model

To determine the effect of an education-based intervention on receiving adequate prenatal care. This randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 90 primiparous pregnant women, referred in Iranshahr, Iran for prenatal care (intervention = 45, control group = 45). The data were collected from February to June 2016 using a questionnaire developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The intervention group received three intervention sessions during the second trimester of pregnancy, and 3 months after intervention, both groups completed a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, chi-squared tests, paired t-test, Pearson and multivariate regression. Unlike the control group, in the intervention group’s mean scores for knowledge, variables from the HBM model and frequency of prenatal care significantly differed from pre- to post-intervention (pre-intervention mean = 12.62 ± 2.63, post-intervention mean = 17.71 ± 1.56, (p ? 0.05). Self-efficacy was positively correlated with knowledge (r = 0.304, p = 0.02) and adequate prenatal care (r = 0.583, p ? 0.001). The constructs of the HBM explained 75% of the variance in frequency of prenatal care in multivariable models. Developing an educational program based on the HBM was effective in the adoptation of prenatal care. Additionally, considering social, economic, and educational follow-up while implementing these programs is recommended.     

The role of pre-treatment proactive coping skills in successful weight management

ObjectivesProactive coping encompasses future-oriented self-regulatory skills that help people prepare for future difficulties before they occur, such as planning and monitoring. The aim of the present study was to examine the interplay between pre-treatment proactive coping skills and expected difficulties during weight loss in determining successful weight management.MethodObese and overweight Dutch adults (N = 119) who enrolled in a weight management intervention reported their level of proactive coping skills and expected difficulties at the start of intervention. Two months later, weight loss was assessed via self-report.ResultsThe results show that the detrimental effects of a low level of proactive coping skills were compensated by the expectation that many difficulties would accompany the weight loss attempt. Also, pre-treatment proactive coping skills did not predict weight loss success above and beyond self-efficacy and socio-demographic factors (e.g., gender).ConclusionIt is concluded that future-oriented self-regulatory skills and beliefs about impending difficulties at the start of intervention may have predictive value for subsequent success in weight management.     

A three-year cohort study of the relationships between coping,job stress and burnout after a counselling intervention for help-seeking physicians

Background  

Knowledge about important factors in reduction of burnout is needed, but there is a dearth of burnout intervention program studies and their effects among physicians. The present three-year follow-up study aimed to investigate the roles of coping strategies, job stress and personality traits in burnout reduction after a counselling intervention for distressed physicians.     

Health-related quality of life association with work-related stress and social support among female and male disabled employees

ABSTRACT

Few studies have focused on adverse relations of job strain to health in disabled employees by gender. In this study, the author explores gender differences in work-related stress, social support, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 106 disabled employees in an electronics manufacturing plant during 2012–2013, using questionnaire data on demographics, perceived work-related stress, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (C-JCQ), and HRQoL. The prevalence of stress related to workload, colleagues, and supervisor were 26.4%, 14.1%, and 8.5%, respectively. Disabled females had higher scores for psychological job demand than male disabled employees (p = .0219). Increasing psychological job demand scores were adversely related to physical function scores (β = ?1.6) in males, whereas increasing decision latitude scores were positively related to role-limitation due to physical function (β = 2.3), general health (β = 1.2), vitality (β = 1.3), role-limitation due to emotional health (β = 2.6), and mental health (β = 0.9) scores in females. These results provide a better understanding of the HRQoL in female and male disabled workers, allowing for the development of stress-prevention programs specific for gender in disabled laborers.     

门诊护理人员职业倦怠相关性因素分析

目的 探讨分析门诊护理人员职业倦怠的相关性因素及其应对策略.方法 随机选取医院门诊工作时间超过12个月的30名护士作为研究对象,并对其采用护士职业倦怠量表(nurse burnout scale,NBS)进行调查,总结职业倦怠相关性因素并制定应对策略.结果 门诊护士均有不同程度职业倦怠,分别有:工作负担、工作压力、心理...     

Relationships between perceived workload, stress and oxidative DNA damage

Objectives: The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between work-related factors, including psychological stress, and the formation of a type of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), in order to examine their possible risk factor for occupational carcinogenesis. Methods: A total of 54 healthy workers (27 male and 27 female, aged 41.2 ± 12.5 years) in a company were investigated for 8-OH-dG levels in the peripheral blood leukocytes at the time of a questionnaire survey regarding several factors, such as working hours, workload, fatigue, sleep, psychological stress and the prospect of alleviating it. Subjects were limited to non-smoking and non-drinking workers to exclude the influence of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, which have been reported to have associations with the formation of 8-OH-dG. Results: The levels of 8-OH-dG in female subjects were significantly related to the perceived workload (F=5.56, P=0.010), the perceived psychological stress (F=6.15, P=0.007), and the impossibility of alleviating stress (F=3.82, P=0.048). No associations were observed in male subjects. Conclusions: Psychological stress and perceived overwork appear to be related to the pathogenesis of cancer via the formation of 8-OH-dG, particularly in female workers. Received: 9 December 1999 / Accepted: 11 October 2000     

The association between maternal serious psychological distress and child obesity at 3 years: a cross-sectional analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Data

Background The prevalence of child obesity is increasing rapidly worldwide. Early childhood has been identified as a critical time period for the development of obesity. Maternal mental health and early life environment are crucial factors and have been linked to adverse child outcomes. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between maternal serious psychological distress and obesity in early childhood. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis of data from the Millennium Cohort Study was conducted. Subjects consisted of all natural mothers (n= 10 465) who had complete and plausible data for Kessler‐6 scores, socio‐demographic and anthropometric variables, and their children for whom anthropometric measurements were completed at age 3. Maternal serious psychological distress was defined as a score of 13 or more on the Kessler‐6 scale. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥95th centile of the 1990 reference chart for age and sex in children. The data were analysed using spss 16. Maternal socio‐demographic factors that are known to influence maternal mental health and child obesity were identified and adjusted using multivariate logistic regression. Results Of the 10 465 mother–child dyads, 3.5% of mothers had serious psychological distress and 5.5% of children were obese at 3 years of age. Logistic regression analysis showed that maternal serious psychological distress was associated with early childhood obesity (P= 0.01; OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.11, 2.37). After adjusting for potential confounding factors using multivariate logistic regression, maternal serious psychological distress remained significantly associated with early childhood obesity (P= 0.01; OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.08, 2.34). Conclusions The results show that maternal serious psychological distress is independently associated with early childhood obesity.