Effects of participatory organizational interventions on mental health and work performance: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Participatory organizational interventions to improve psychosocial working conditions are important for a safe and healthy work environment. However, there are few systematic reviews or meta-analyses investigating the effects of these interventions on workers' mental health and work-related outcomes. We apply the protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of participatory organizational intervention on mental health and work performance. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The participants, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes (PICO) of the studies in this systematic review and meta-analysis were defined as follows: (P) inclusion of all workers, (I) participatory organizational intervention, (C) treatment as usual or no intervention (including waitlist control), and (O) mental health and work performance. Published studies will be searched using the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society. Studies that (1) included participatory organizational intervention, (2) included participants who were working as of the baseline survey period, (3) assessed mental health or work performance outcomes, (4) used a cluster randomized controlled trials design, (5) were published in English or Japanese, and (6) were published in peer-reviewed journals (including advanced online publication) will be included. Study selection and the risk of bias assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis will be performed to statistically synthesize the included studies. Publication bias will be assessed for meta-bias using Egger's test as well as visually on a funnel plot. We will assess the heterogeneity by using the Q statistic.

The association between team job crafting and work engagement among nurses: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Team-level job crafting has been put forward as a method to promote nurses' mental health. However, a longitudinal association is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between team job crafting at baseline and work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at three-month and six-month follow-ups among Japanese hospital nurses. Also, whether an increase in the team job crafting during 3 or 6 months was associated with an increase in the work engagement during 3 or 6 months of individual nurses was examined. METHODS: A multilevel prospective cohort study was conducted. Data were collected from nurses of five hospitals in Japan at baseline (T1) and follow-ups at 3-months (T2) and 6-months (T3). A total of 2,478 nurses were included. The team job crafting scale for nurses and its three subscales were measured for the independent variables. Ward-means were used as ward-level variables. The dependent variables were work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to examine the multilevel association. The study protocol was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (ID = UMIN000047810) (May 22, 2022). RESULTS: A total of 460 nurses completed the T1 survey (response rate = 18.6%), and data from 391 nurses nested in 30 wards were included in the analyses. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) at T1 were 0.02 for work engagement and 0.07 for team job crafting. The HLM revealed that ward-level team job crafting at T1 was not significantly associated with work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at T2 or T3. The ward-level change (T3-T1) of "crafting for the task considering the team's growth" (subscale for team job crafting) was significantly and positively associated with the change (T3-T1) in work engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Ward-level team job crafting at baseline did not predict nurses' work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, or intention to leave at a three-month or six-month follow-up. The impact of ward-level team job crafting may attenuate over several months.

Effects of an Internet Delivered Behavioral Activation Program on Improving Work Engagement Among Japanese Workers: A Pretest and Posttest Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of a newly developed Internet-delivered behavioral activation (iBA) program on work engagement and well-being among Japanese workers with elevated psychological distress. METHODS: Participants were recruited via an Internet survey company ( N = 3299). The eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) Japanese employees aged 20 to 59 years, (2) having psychological distress, and (3) not self-employed. This iBA program was a 3-week web-based training course using behavioral activation techniques. Work engagement, psychological distress, and eudemonic well-being at work were measured at baseline and postintervention period. A paired sample t test was conducted to assess the intervention effect. RESULTS: Of the 568 eligible participants, 120 were randomly selected. A total of 108 participants completed the baseline survey and received the iBA program. Eighty respondents completed the postintervention survey and were included in analyses. The iBA program did not show a significant intervention effect on work engagement ( P = 0.22, Cohen d = 0.14), while psychological distress ( P < 0.01, d = -0.40) and role-oriented future prospects ( P = 0.02, Cohen d = 0.27) were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the iBA program on work engagement may be limited.

A proposed definition of participatory organizational interventions.

Participatory organizational interventions offer an effective way to promote occupational safety and health. Despite an increasing number of studies, a common definition of participatory organizational interventions has yet to be established. Therefore, we aimed to form a definition using the following process. First, we developed a tentative draft definition of organizational interventions and participatory elements, based on the relevant literature. The tentative definition was revised in several rounds of an extensive discussion by the authors. This resulted in the draft definition. We asked 15 selected international experts in occupational safety and health to review and comment on the draft definition. We carefully reviewed their comments, and formulated our final proposed definition. To summarize the key points of the final version of the definition, organizational interventions are planned actions that primarily directly target working conditions with the aim of promoting and maintaining of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations. In addition, as participatory elements of organizational interventions in the final definition, ideally, all workers participate in every step of the intervention, while participating in part of the steps of the intervention in some cases. Furthermore, in principle, all workers participate in each step of intervention, while it is also acceptable that only elected representatives among workers participate in the intervention.

Usage of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire: A Systematic Review of a Comprehensive Job Stress Questionnaire in Japan from 2003 to 2021.

The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability. A systematic search was conducted for studies investigating relationships between the BJSQ or the New BJSQ subscales and other validated measurements on 13 September 2021, in various literature databases. The BJSQ subscales, scoring methods, and other validated measurements in the studies were qualitatively summarized. In total, 145 published reports between 2003 and 2021 were included. Among the BJSQ subscales, job stressors (n = 95) such as quantitative job overload (n = 65) and job control (n = 64) were most often used. The subscales were utilized to investigate the relationships with several other measurements. Five reports used subscales from the New BJSQ. In the last two decades, the BJSQ and the New BJSQ help measure psychosocial factors (PF) at work and contribute to the publication of scientific papers in the occupational health field. This study would encourage the utilization of the questionnaires for future research and practice.

The impact of workplace psychosocial factors on menstrual disorders and infertility: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Workplace environment, especially psychosocial factors at work such as job strain, workplace social support, and shift work, may affect the menstrual abnormalities and fertility of female workers. However, the association between psychosocial factors at work and menstrual abnormalities or fertility is not well understood. To address this relationship, we will conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature that has utilized a longitudinal or prospective cohort design. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The inclusion criteria for this systematic review and meta-analysis are defined as follows: (P) adult female workers (over 18 years old), (E) the presence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, (C) the absence of adverse psychosocial factors at work, and (O) any menstrual cycle disorders, menstrual-related symptoms, or fertility. The MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society electronic databases will be used to search for published studies. The statistical synthesis of the studies included in the meta-analysis will be conducted to estimate pooled coefficients and 95% CIs. For the main analysis, we will synthesize measures of association between psychosocial factors at work and menstrual-related disorders/symptoms. At least three eligible studies will have to be gathered to conduct a meta-analysis; otherwise (i.e., if only one or two studies will be eligible and included), the results will be presented in a narrative table. We will use the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) to determine the quality of selected studies. To assess meta-bias, Egger's test, along with a funnel plot, will be used to check for publication bias. Lastly, we will examine heterogeneity using the χ2 test with Cochran's Q statistic and I2. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The results and findings will be submitted and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal and will be disseminated broadly to researchers and policymakers interested in the translatability of scientific evidence into good practices. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered at the UMIN registry (registration number: UMIN000039488). The registration date is on 14 Feb 2020. URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr/ctr_view_reg.cgi?recptno=R000044704.

STRENGTH AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY: • This systematic review and a meta-analysis will investigate the associations between psychosocial factors at work and menstrual abnormalities or fertility. • This review will include only the literature that has utilized a longitudinal design. • Various outcomes related to reproductive health in female workers will be examined (e.g., fertility, premenstrual symptoms, cycle disorders, menopausal symptoms).

Effects of the Collective Gratitude on Work Engagement: A Multilevel Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Work engagement is a key concept because of its positive association with physical/mental health, job performance, and well-being. This study aims to examine the relationship between organizational-level gratitude (collective gratitude) as a work climate and work engagement. METHODS: Utrecht Work Engagement Scale measured work engagement. Gratitude at Work Scale measured individual-level gratitude, and collective gratitude was calculated by aggregating individual-level gratitude after confirming within-group agreement and the intraclass correlations. Multilevel analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1187 workers from 72 organizations were analyzed. The multilevel analysis showed a significant positive association between collective gratitude and work engagement while controlling for individual-level confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated developing collective gratitude would improve work engagement in the workplace. It would be useful for managers and occupational health staff to consider collective gratitude initiatives.

Prevalence, characteristics, and psychological outcomes of workplace cyberbullying during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a cross-sectional online survey.

BACKGROUND: The rapid introduction of teleworking due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to concerns about increases in cyberbullying (CB) worldwide. However, little is known about workplace CB in non-Western countries. The first objective was to clarify the prevalence and characteristics regarding workplace CB victimization in Japan. The second objective was to demonstrate the psychological outcomes of CB victimization in combination with traditional bullying (TB). METHODS: We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional, Internet-based survey targeting regular employees in Japan (N = 1200) in January 2021. We investigated CB victimization using the Inventory of Cyberbullying Acts at Work and TB victimization by using the Short Negative Act Questionnaire. Possible explanatory factors for TB/CB victimization were sociodemographic variables, personality trait, chronic occupational stress, organizational climate, and gratitude at work. We also measured psychological distress, insomnia, and loneliness to assess adverse effects of workplace bullying. Two-step cluster analysis was used in determining the patterns combined with TB and CB victimization. Hierarchical binomial logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: In total, 8.0% of employees reported experiencing CB on a weekly basis. CB victimization was associated with younger age, managerial position, higher qualitative workload, and active information dissemination via the Internet, and frequency of teleworking. Three clusters based on TB and CB victimization patterns were identified: those who belong to the first cluster suffered neither from TB and CB (81.0%), the second cluster suffered only from TB (14.3%), and the third cluster suffered from both TB and CB (4.8%). The third cluster exhibited higher odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for psychological distress (OR = 12.63, 95% CI = 4.20-38.03), insomnia (OR = 6.26, 95% CI = 2.80-14.01), and loneliness (OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.74-6.04) compared to the first cluster. CONCLUSIONS: These findings firstly clarify the prevalence and correlated factors of CB victimization among employees in Japan. Further, we showed that psychological wellbeing can be impaired by the coexistence of TB and CB. Our research could be the first step to develop the effective countermeasures against workplace CB.

Effects of gratitude intervention on mental health and well-being among workers: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Gratitude intervention, which requires participants to engage regularly in brief activities designed to cultivate a sense of gratefulness, is known as one of the most effective positive psychological interventions. Although numerous meta-analyses and systematic reviews have been conducted on gratitude intervention, no studies have focused on the working population. This study aimed to systematically summarize the effectiveness of gratitude interventions on workers' mental health and well-being. METHODS: Systematic search was conducted in February 2021 using five databases. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials implementing gratitude activities among healthy workers and measuring mental health or well-being indicators and original articles or thesis in English. RESULTS: Nine out of 1957 articles met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies adopted gratitude list interventions, showing a significant improvement in perceived stress and depression; however, the effects on well-being were inconsistent. Interventions with gratitude list four times or less did not report significant changes in any outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Most gratitude interventions incorporated a gratitude list, and some studies included gratitude activities as a part of the combined program. On the other hand, no studies focused on only behavioral gratitude expression among workers. Gratitude interventions might be effective in improving mental health, but their effects on well-being remain unclear. The total number of gratitude lists and reflections might influence the effect on mental health and well-being; however, due to the high heterogeneity of the studies, further studies are needed.

The Effect of Perceived Gratitude From Others on Work Engagement: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of perceived gratitude from others on work engagement, adjusting for possible confounders: job demands, job resources (supervisor/coworker support), personal resources (resilience), and gratitude trait. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted a secondary analysis of data from previously published research. Work engagement was measured using the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. An original one-item questionnaire measured perceived gratitude from others. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regression showed a significant association between perceived gratitude and work engagement even after controlling for the covariates of occupations, job demands, supervisor support, coworker support, resilience, and gratitude trait (N = 206). CONCLUSIONS: The association between perceived gratitude and work engagement was independent of job demands, job/personal resources, and gratitude trait, suggesting the direct association.

Effects of a gratitude intervention program on work engagement among Japanese workers: a protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Work engagement is one of the most important outcomes for both employees and employers. Although the findings to date, integrated 40 intervention studies aiming to improve work engagement, consistent results have not yet been produced, suggesting the importance of further intervention studies. This study aims to investigate the effects of gratitude intervention programs focused on two important work engagement factors among Japanese workers: personal and job resources. METHODS: This study will be a two-arm, parallel-group cluster (organization) randomized control trial. Japanese organizations and nested employees will be recruited through the first author's acquaintances using snowball sampling. Organizations that meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to intervention or control groups in a 1:1 ratio within the company unit. The intervention groups will be provided with a 1-month long gratitude intervention program, which aims to promote reciprocal gratitude exchanges within the same organization. The program consists of psychoeducation, gratitude lists, and behavioral gratitude expression. The control groups will not receive any intervention. The primary outcome will be work engagement measured by the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale at baseline and after 1 (immediate post-survey), 3, and 6 months. Multilevel latent growth modeling will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of the intervention program. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first cluster randomized controlled trial applied to the investigation of gratitude intervention aimed at improving work engagement among Japanese workers; to promote reciprocal gratitude exchanges within a given organization; and to include both gratitude lists and behavioral gratitude expression. Gratitude interventions have several strengths in terms of implementation: the objectives of the exercises are easy to understand and implement; it does not require much time or expense; they tend to have lower dropout rates; and they do not require experts in psychology. Although implementation difficulties have been common in previous interventions targeting work engagement, gratitude intervention may be suitable even for workers who have limited time to devote to the tasks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR, ID=UMIN000042546): https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000048566 on November 25, 2020.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Gratitude at Work Scale (GAWS).

OBJECTIVES: Workplace gratitude is important for improving work-related outcomes and individual well-being. Although the gratitude at work scale (GAWS) was developed in the United States, it has not been corroborated in Asian countries with interdependent cultures. This study aimed to develop and validate the GAWS among Japanese workers. METHOD: Japanese workers completed online surveys at baseline (N = 206) and 2 weeks later (N = 103). The Japanese GAWS was developed according to the international guidelines. We measured (a) trait gratitude as comparison for the criterion-related validity, (b) work-related outcomes/factors (eg, work engagement), and (c) well-being (eg, eudemonic well-being at work) as comparisons for convergent validity. Cronbach's alpha, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), and measurement errors were calculated to assess reliability; measurement validity was evaluated by correlational analyses and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: A total of 206 and 93 workers were included for baseline and follow-up analyses, respectively. Cronbach's alpha and ICCs of the Japanese GAWS ranged from 0.81 to 0.91. CFA showed that the 2-factor model (ie, gratitude for (a) a supportive work environment and (b) meaningful work) demonstrated a good fit (χ2 (34) = 67.58, CFI = 0.967, TLI = 0.956, RMSEA = 0.069, SRMR = 0.037), similar to the original version. As we had hypothesized, overall GAWS and the two domains were significantly correlated with trait gratitude, work-related outcomes/factors, and well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese GAWS demonstrated good reliability and validity. Future research should explore mechanisms related to workplace gratitude and further intervention studies among workers.

Effects of a Newly Developed Gratitude Intervention Program on Work Engagement Among Japanese Workers: A Pre- and Posttest Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a 3-week gratitude intervention program that included gratitude lists and behavioral gratitude expression and to examine the effect of the program on work engagement, gratitude, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and job performance in a pretest-posttest study design. METHODS: Eight hundred thirty-five employees were recruited for the study. The outcomes were measured at baseline, postintervention, and at 6-week follow-up. Estimated means at the three points were compared in a mixed model for repeated measures. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five workers were included and analyzed. Work engagement showed no significant improvement after the intervention. However, gratitude, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and job performance improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The program might be effective for improving gratitude, self-efficacy, psychological distress, and job performance, but further modification of the program is needed to improve the effect on work engagement.