Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/35623

JaLCDOI : 10.14943/34133

KEYWORDS : workload perception;acute stress reaction;job stressor;occupational health nurse

Recently, mental health management in the work place has been an important issue for occupational health nursing. The objective of this study was to focus on occupational environment factors and identify the association of workload perception with acute stress reactions and job stressors. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 434 employees working for 9 enterprises in Hokkaido in December, 2004. 347 responses were returned (response rate - 80.0%) and 327 valid responses were analyzed. Acute stress reactions and job stressors were measured using the NIOSH General Job Stress Questionnaire, and their association with workload perception was analyzed. Employees' perception of being overloaded proved to be associated with depression, somatic complaints, and other acute reactions. It was also associated with job stressors such as quantitative and mental workload. Prevention of the negative influence of workload is necessary for maintaining physical and mental health of employees. Employees' workload perception provides important information on their mental health. Therefore it should be actively used in developing preventive measures for mental health problems.