Association of workplace social capital with psychological distress: results from a longitudinal multilevel analysis of the J-HOPE Study

Abstract

ObjectivesWorkplace social capital (WSC) is increasingly recognised as a social contextual determinant of workers’ mental health, but longitudinal data are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the impact of changes in unit-level WSC on psychological distress among Japanese employees using a prospective multilevel repeated-measures design.Participants and study designWe conducted a 2-year prospective cohort study with 1,944 men and 786 women aged 18–65 years. Participants worked at two manufacturing worksites in Japan and were free from mental illness from the first to third study waves. We used a three-level multilevel regression design to evaluate the prospective association of unit-level WSC with individual-level psychological distress. WSC was measured using a validated six-item instrument and individual-level psychological distress with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).ResultsThe null model indicated a significant degree of between-work unit variation in psychological distress (intraclass correlation=0.1%, p<0.001). In the full model, each SD increase in unit-level WSC was associated with 0.69 point improvement in K6 scores (95% CI −1.12 to −0.26).ConclusionsThis prospective study builds on existing knowledge by showing an association between unit-level WSC and modest improvements in mental health among employees in Japan. We recommend that WSC is considered alongside other contextual influences when assessing employees’ mental health risks.

Association Between Workplace Social Capital and Neck Pain

“…The reason may be that the location of the musculoskeletal pain was integrated in the analysis. The risk factor of NP has been reported to be psychological stress, 20,27,28 which was influenced by WSC 15,19 . In contrast, the risk factor of low back pain and wrist pain has been reported to be ergonomic factors, rather than psychological stress 28 .…”

“…Psychological stress could be a probable explanation for the association between WSC and presence of NP. Low WSC refers to a lack of support, trust, and information from members within the same workgroup, 29 which deteriorates psychological stress 15,19 . Additionally, one study has reported that psychological stress increased muscle tension in the neck 30 .…”

“…Low WSC refers to a lack of support, trust, and information from members within the same workgroup, 29 which deteriorates psychological stress. 15,19 Additionally, one study has reported that psychological stress increased muscle tension in the neck. 30 Thus, low WSC may cause NP of workers.…”

“…The risk factor of NP has been reported to be psychological stress, 20,27,28 which was influenced by WSC. 15,19 In contrast, the risk factor of low back pain and wrist pain has been reported to be ergonomic factors, rather than psychological stress. 28 Thus, focusing on NP among musculoskeletal pain, we believe that low WSC was significantly associated with presence of pain.…”

“…For work type, the participants selected one of the following items: desk work, manual work, and customer service. Weekly working hours were categorized as follows: more than or equal to 30 hours, less than 40 h/more than or equal to 40 h, less than 50 h/more than or equal to 50 h, and less than 60 h/more than or equal to 60 h 15 . The participants selected length of service from one of the following items: less than 1 year, 1 year to 5 years, and more than 5 years.…”