Workers’ Mental Health Problems and Future Perspectives in Japan

Author(s):  
Hideo Tamba

This chapter reviews data on the mental health problems of Japanese workers. Some of the main theories that analyze mental health problems are introduced, including occupational/job stress theory, work motivation, work engagement, and social skills. In light of Japan’s disgraceful record of more than 30,000 suicides every year the past ten years or more—a level that is rare in developed nations—an issue related to work circumstances, represented by the term Karoshi, is suggested. This chapter presents an argument toward a solution to the mental health problem in Japan.

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Irizar ◽  
S. H. Gage ◽  
M. Field ◽  
V. Fallon ◽  
L. Goodwin

Abstract Aims Due to the stressful nature of policing, police employees are at risk of mental health problems and problematic alcohol use. We aim to determine the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use in the UK Police Service, and to explore the associations with job strain and mental health problems. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study (N = 40 986) included measures of alcohol consumption (total units in past week), mental health (depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and job strain. The associations between mental health and job strain with alcohol consumption (i.e. abstinence, low-risk [<14 units per week, reference group], hazardous [>14 to 35 units for women, >14 to 50 units for men], harmful [>35 units for women, >50 units for men]), were analysed using multinomial logistic regressions, adjusting for potential confounders (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, children under 18, income and smoking status). Results A total of 32.6% of police employees reported hazardous drinking, with 3.0% drinking at harmful levels. Compared to those without a mental health problem, police employees with depression, anxiety or PTSD were twice as likely to be harmful drinkers and were also 1.3 times more likely to report abstinence. Those reporting low strain (reference group) were more likely to drink hazardously compared to those reporting high strain, which was statistically moderated by mental health. When the sample was stratified by mental health status, the association between low strain (compared to all other categories) and hazardous drinking, was significant only in those without a mental health problem. Conclusions These findings indicate that police employees may be an occupational group at risk of alcohol harm, with one-third drinking hazardously. The J-shaped relationship between mental health and alcohol use highlights a need for an integration of mental health and alcohol services, tailored for the UK Police Service.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
Saba Khurshid ◽  
Sidra Mumtaz ◽  
Hafsa Khalil Toor ◽  
Rubina Hanif

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is constantly posing warning and creating mental health crisis among people without any discrimination. Therefore, the current study purpose is to explore mental health upheaval and transition in future perspectives due to COVID-19. Using exploratory study design, semi structure interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using Thematic Content Analysis. The major themes which were identified showed that COVID-19 is constantly eliciting panic and mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, fears of death, xenophobia, OCD and uncertainty about future among general population. Results also indicated the major transition in public future perspectives and perception. Concern related to adjustability in life after pandemic is major emerging future concern among Pakistani People. During pandemic outbreak, people are becoming vulnerable to different mental health problems. To overcome these issues successfully, role of mental health professionals cannot be denied. There is strong need to devise activities and strategies which help people to increase resilience and build strong relationships during the period of social distancing. This paper gives a deep insight into mental health problems among general population due to COVID-19 and it also implicates need of psychological services to overcome these issues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-76
Author(s):  
Kamala Poudel ◽  
Bhuwan Kumari Dangol ◽  
Roshana Shrestha

Introduction: Mental health and its related problems are growing concerns over the country. It is challenge to determine the epidemiology of childhood mental disorders. Early detection and effective intervention is necessary for holistic development of the futures citizens. Objectives: To assess the mental health problems and self-esteem of schoolchildren studying in urban Schools of Dharan Sub-metropolitan City. Materials and method: Cross-sectional descriptive research design was followed. The study population included schoolchildren studying in grade 9 and 10 in schools of Dharan (n = 450).  Simple random sampling technique was used to select the school and students. Mental health problems were assessed using self-administered Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and self-esteem level was monitored using self-administered Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Majority (55.6%) of the students were male. Among the total students 12.9% had mental health problems. Gender difference was statistically significant as girls had higher (14.5%) mental health problem (p value = 0.027).Girls (15%) were statistically significant more likely to have emotional problems within domain of mental health problem than boys (p value = 0.003).) whereas boys had conduct problem. Self-esteem level was significantly negatively correlated with mental health problems (r = -0.256, p= 0.000).  Conclusion: Mental health problem is high prevalent among school children. There was statistically significant negative correlation between mental health problems and self-esteem of the schoolchildren.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 239-244
Author(s):  
Yam Prasad Sharma

Art therapy is used for healing or treatment of some health problems. For such healing, arts like painting, sculpture, music, drama, dance and poetry are used. Art is related to creativity whereas therapy is related to cure, treatment and healing. Art therapy includes creation, appreciation and healing. Art therapy may help individuals manage and cope with mental health problems, physical pain, difficult emotions, feelings and experiences. It allows people to be free from anxiety and use their imagination for something positive. Art therapy is highly useful to solve mental health problem and disorder in behavior. Whenever other methods of treatment become ineffective, art therapy can be a main form of treatment. However, the power of art for treatment has been ignored in our context. If the domain of art is linked to medical treatment, the cure of the disease can be easier. This attempt may add new dimensions in the field of treatment and healing. This article attempts to elaborate the concept of art therapy, how it can be applied in healing and various types of art therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Kotera ◽  
Claude-Hélène Mayer ◽  
Elisabeth Vanderheiden

The negative impact of the coronavirus disease outbreak 2019 (COVID-19) on work mental health is reported in many countries including Germany and South Africa: two culturally distinct countries. This study aims to compare mental health between the two workforces to appraise how cultural characteristics may impact their mental health status. A cross-sectional study was used with self-report measures regarding (i) mental health problems, (ii) mental health shame, (iii) self-compassion, (iv) work engagement and (v) work motivation. 257 German employees and 225 South African employees have completed those scales. This study reports results following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. T-tests, correlation and regression analyses were performed. German employees had lower mental health problems and mental health shame, and higher self-compassion than South Africans. Mental health problems were positively associated with mental health shame and amotivation, and negatively associated with work engagement and intrinsic motivation in both groups. Lastly, self-compassion, a PP 2.0 construct, was the strongest predictor for mental health problems in both countries. Our results suggest (i) that German culture’s long-term orientation, uncertainty avoidance and restraint may help explain these differences, and (ii) that self-compassion was important to mental health in both countries. While the levels of mental health differed between the two countries, cultivating self-compassion may be an effective way to protect mental health of employees in those countries. Findings can help inform managers and HR staff to refine their wellbeing strategies to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic, especially in German-South African organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 268-271
Author(s):  
Darmadi Darmadi ◽  
Riska Habriel Ruslie

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerges in Wuhan, China and becomes a pandemic on March 2020. Its manifestations mainly cover respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. In fact, mental health disorders are common in patients with COVID-19 but receive minimum attention. AIM: We aimed to discuss mental health disturbances in relation to COVID-19 and its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We gathered literature regarding the topic from electronic sources, including PubMed and Google Scholar. RESULTS: There are several pathogeneses proposed regarding the incidence of mental health problems. The symptoms of mental health problems vary widely and also affect health-care personnel. Diagnosing mental health problem in COVID-19 patients is quite difficult because no examinations are specific enough. The management of mental health problems includes psychological and medical managements. CONCLUSION: Further study regarding mental health problem and its management in patients with COVID-19 is mandatory.  


2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise St-Arnaud ◽  
Renée Bourbonnais ◽  
Micheline Saint-Jean ◽  
Jacques Rhéaume

The contribution of work in the occurrence of mental health problems prompts us to question the conditions which favour a successful return to work. The goals of this study are to describe the profile of workers who have been absent due to a mental health problem and to compare those who returned to those who did not, and those for whom there was resolution or non resolution of their health problem. This study among public sector employees was cross-sectional. Data was collected using mailed questionnaires and analyses were performed for 1850 respondents. The results show a significant difference between those who were back at work and those who were not, based on the cause they reported for their absence from work. Improved working conditions accompanying return to work may be a major determinant of health recovery and successful return to work, and ensure job retention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S488-S489
Author(s):  
Carlie J Sloan ◽  
Marsha R Mailick ◽  
Jinkuk Hong ◽  
Jung-Hwa Ha ◽  
Jan S Greenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract The negative impact of having a child with special needs on parental well-being is well documented. Previous research has suggested age attenuation of these impacts. However, this has not yet been examined longitudinally in late life. Therefore, it is unclear how the effect of having a child with a developmental disability or mental health problem changes as parents age and children become less likely to live at home. Using responses from the Study of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this study investigates: (1) longitudinal changes in the effect of having a child with a developmental or mental health problem on parental well-being, (2) age and gender moderations on these effects, and (3) the unique impact of factors directly related to the child’s condition. Multiple linear regressions revealed that having a child with a developmental disability was predictive of higher negative affect, more somatic symptoms, and lower psychological well-being longitudinally. Additionally, there was a main effect of having a child with a mental health problem in predicting higher negative affect. However, age moderations were revealed such that the effect of having a child with a developmental disability or mental health problem was diminished for older parents. Additionally, within-group analyses revealed that longer duration of developmental disabilities and later parental age of onset of mental health problems were predictive of better outcomes. Overall, results suggest that although having a child with special needs is related to poorer well-being, these effects can attenuate as parents age and adapt.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Tola ◽  
Petra Metzenthin ◽  
Claudia Mischke

Abstract Background: Early specialised care is important for those with mental health problems to prevent e.g. chronic progression. Targeted professionally initiated intervention to stabilise mental health status is only possible if affected individuals actively seek support. The reasons for inadequate use of qualified services have not been sufficiently investigated from the perspectives of those affected. There is only limited insight into the help-seeking behaviour of those with mental health issues. Aim: This study sheds light on the ‘experience’ of help-seeking to time of first contact with a psychiatric institution. It specifically concentrates on the perspective of those affected and their subjective problems. Method: Using a qualitative-inductive design, patients at a crisis centre were retrospectively interviewed using a guideline-supported approach. Interview results were analysed using Saldaña (2013) opening coding (two circles). Results: The patients’ experience can be categorised as ‘real’ problems as the cause, exacerbated mental health problems and utilising mental health services. Help-seeking is determined by the need to manage causal, ‘real’ (everyday, social) problems. Many mental health problem have long not been recognised as such, and thus help-seeking is initially focussed on ‘real’ problems. At all levels of help-seeking, from recognition of a mental health Problem to overcoming barriers preventing use of specialised help, affected persons require the support of third parties. Conclusions: The results indicate the need for a patient-orientated transformation of mental health primary care to provide for more easily accessible services that take into account the everyday and social problems of those with related problems.


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