Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women
Abstract Background Pregnancy results in physical and psychological changes in women; however, pregnant women hesitate to take a break from work even when they feel the need. Since working while physically ill leads to decreased job performance, it is important to determine the factors that lead to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05082-3 |
| _version_ | 1817979668674904064 |
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| author | Yasuka Nakamura Yoko Sumikawa Tsuno Aya Wada Keiko Nagasaka Maiko Kawajiri Yoko Takeishi Mikako Yoshida Toyoko Yoshizawa |
| author_facet | Yasuka Nakamura Yoko Sumikawa Tsuno Aya Wada Keiko Nagasaka Maiko Kawajiri Yoko Takeishi Mikako Yoshida Toyoko Yoshizawa |
| author_sort | Yasuka Nakamura |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pregnancy results in physical and psychological changes in women; however, pregnant women hesitate to take a break from work even when they feel the need. Since working while physically ill leads to decreased job performance, it is important to determine the factors that lead to this phenomenon. Aim To study the occupational stress associated with job performance and absenteeism of pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. Methods In 2019, non-pregnant and pregnant employed women in their 20–40 s in Japan completed an online survey examining job performance (Work Limitation Questionnaire - Short Form), absenteeism, occupational stress (Brief Job Stress Questionnaire), and working situations. Results Of 918 respondents who met the inclusion criteria, 904 were included in the final analysis (454 non-pregnant and 450 pregnant women). Logistic regression analyses showed that absenteeism was significantly higher for pregnant women. However, for women who were absent, there was no significant difference between non-pregnant and pregnant women. After adjusting for attributes and working conditions, pregnant women had significantly higher (p < .001) work productivity losses than non-pregnant women, but only in the physical tasks domain; their physical stress response was also higher compared to non-pregnant women (p = .048). However, pregnant women reported significantly less interpersonal conflict stress (p < .001) and psychological stress (p = .026), as well as better workplace support as a buffering factor for stress (p = .021), than non-pregnant women. Conclusion Clarifying the physical burden associated with pregnancy and assisting women in coordinating their work duties while considering the physical demands of pregnancy may minimize work productivity losses among pregnant women. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:45:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d08e6abb4d34294a228ddb9584265ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:45:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d08e6abb4d34294a228ddb9584265ce2022-12-22T02:26:25ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932022-10-012211810.1186/s12884-022-05082-3Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of womenYasuka Nakamura0Yoko Sumikawa Tsuno1Aya Wada2Keiko Nagasaka3Maiko Kawajiri4Yoko Takeishi5Mikako Yoshida6Toyoko Yoshizawa7Tohoku University Graduate school of MedicineTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineBunri University of HospitalityTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineTohoku University Graduate school of MedicineAbstract Background Pregnancy results in physical and psychological changes in women; however, pregnant women hesitate to take a break from work even when they feel the need. Since working while physically ill leads to decreased job performance, it is important to determine the factors that lead to this phenomenon. Aim To study the occupational stress associated with job performance and absenteeism of pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. Methods In 2019, non-pregnant and pregnant employed women in their 20–40 s in Japan completed an online survey examining job performance (Work Limitation Questionnaire - Short Form), absenteeism, occupational stress (Brief Job Stress Questionnaire), and working situations. Results Of 918 respondents who met the inclusion criteria, 904 were included in the final analysis (454 non-pregnant and 450 pregnant women). Logistic regression analyses showed that absenteeism was significantly higher for pregnant women. However, for women who were absent, there was no significant difference between non-pregnant and pregnant women. After adjusting for attributes and working conditions, pregnant women had significantly higher (p < .001) work productivity losses than non-pregnant women, but only in the physical tasks domain; their physical stress response was also higher compared to non-pregnant women (p = .048). However, pregnant women reported significantly less interpersonal conflict stress (p < .001) and psychological stress (p = .026), as well as better workplace support as a buffering factor for stress (p = .021), than non-pregnant women. Conclusion Clarifying the physical burden associated with pregnancy and assisting women in coordinating their work duties while considering the physical demands of pregnancy may minimize work productivity losses among pregnant women.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05082-3AbsenteeismOccupational healthPregnant womenJob performanceCross-sectional studies |
| spellingShingle | Yasuka Nakamura Yoko Sumikawa Tsuno Aya Wada Keiko Nagasaka Maiko Kawajiri Yoko Takeishi Mikako Yoshida Toyoko Yoshizawa Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Absenteeism Occupational health Pregnant women Job performance Cross-sectional studies |
| title | Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women |
| title_full | Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women |
| title_fullStr | Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women |
| title_short | Occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in Japan: comparison with similar age group of women |
| title_sort | occupational stress is associated with job performance among pregnant women in japan comparison with similar age group of women |
| topic | Absenteeism Occupational health Pregnant women Job performance Cross-sectional studies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05082-3 |
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