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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-07-2015 | Original Article

Buffering effects of job resources on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese white-collar workers

Authors: Ayako Hino, Akiomi Inoue, Norito Kawakami, Kanami Tsuno, Kimiko Tomioka, Mayuko Nakanishi, Kosuke Mafune, Hisanori Hiro

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the buffering effects of job resources, utilizing the job demands–control (or demand–control–support) and effort–reward imbalance models (i.e., job control, workplace social support, and extrinsic reward), on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese employees.

Methods

A total of 1,198 participants (valid response rate = 93.7 %) from five branches of a manufacturing company in Japan completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising the scales assessing job resources, psychological distress, and demographic characteristics. We obtained the information on working hours in the most recent month from the personnel records of the surveyed company. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. In a series of analyses, interaction term of overtime work hours with each job resource was included in the model.

Results

Significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with job control was observed. Among the low job control group, the long overtime (80 h or more) subgroup had a significantly higher prevalence odds ratio of psychological distress compared to the short overtime (44 h or less) subgroup. No significant association of overtime work hours with psychological distress was found among the high job control group. On the other hand, there was no significant interaction effect of overtime work hours with workplace social support or extrinsic reward.

Conclusions

The present findings suggest that high job control has an effect on reducing psychological distress in relation to overtime work hours in Japanese employees.

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Title: Buffering effects of job resources on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese white-collar workers
Authors: Ayako Hino
Akiomi Inoue
Norito Kawakami
Kanami Tsuno
Kimiko Tomioka
Mayuko Nakanishi
Kosuke Mafune
Hisanori Hiro
Publication date: 01-07-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0990-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Buffering effects of job resources on the association of overtime work hours with psychological distress in Japanese white-collar workers

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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