Worries About COVID-19 Infection and Psychological Distress at Work and While Commuting

Masamichi Uehara; Tomohiro Ishimaru; Hajime Ando; Seiichiro Tateishi; Hisashi Eguchi; Mayumi Tsuji; Koji Mori; Shinya Matsuda; Yoshihisa Fujino; CORoNaWork Project

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002309

Worries About COVID-19 Infection and Psychological Distress at Work and While Commuting

J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Sep 1;63(9):e631-e635. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002309.

Authors

Masamichi Uehara¹, Tomohiro Ishimaru, Hajime Ando, Seiichiro Tateishi, Hisashi Eguchi, Mayumi Tsuji, Koji Mori, Shinya Matsuda, Yoshihisa Fujino; CORoNaWork Project

Affiliation

¹ Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Uehara, Dr Ishimaru, and Dr Fujino); Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Ando); Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Tateishi); Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Eguchi); Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Tsuji); Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Mori); Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (Dr Matsuda).

PMID: 34173786
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002309

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the relationship between worry about COVID-19 infection in the workplace and while commuting to work and psychological distress in Japan.

Methods: An internet monitor study was conducted. Out of a total of 33,302 participants, 26,841 people were included. The subjects were asked single-item questions about whether they were worried about COVID-19 infection in general, at work and while commuting to work. K6 was used to assess psychological distress.

Results: The OR was significantly higher in association with worry about infection in the workplace at 1.71 (95%CI 1.53 to 1.92) and worry about infection while commuting at 1.49 (95%CI 1.32 to 1.67).

Conclusions: This study suggests the need for psychological intervention to reduce worry about infection in response to public mental health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Pandemics
Psychological Distress*
SARS-CoV-2
Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
Transportation