Presenteeism among Chinese workers in Japan and its relationship with mental health and health-promoting lifestyles

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors related to presenteeism among Chinese workers residing in Japan by assessing their mental state and health-promoting lifestyles. An anonymous, self-reported questionnaire was administered to 450 Chinese workers living in Hiroshima Prefecture, of whom, 313 completed it in its entirety. Results showed that 40.6% reported suffering from depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D). Sociodemographic characteristics such as being female, having a lower educational background, being widowed/divorced, having fewer years of residence, fluency in basic-level Japanese, being employed part-time, being an engineer, and workplace environment (having no health education in the workplace) increased the likelihood of depression. Path analysis indicated that marital status (being married) was negatively associated with presenteeism on the Work Limitations Questionnaire-Chinese version via work-related stress. There was a positive correlation between work-related stress and presenteeism through mental health (CES-D). Health-promoting lifestyles (Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II) showed a negative correlation with presenteeism, via work-related stress and mental health. Furthermore, health-promoting lifestyles showed a direct negative association with presenteeism. Thus, health education that emphasizes mental health was a significant factor for improving presenteeism. Furthermore, the provision of health education shortly after Chinese workers had arrived in Japan is important.

Association between Presenteeism, Psychosocial Aspects of Work and Common Mental Disorders among Nursing Personnel

“…In the opposite direction from the model proposed in the study reported here, they assumed that both physical and mental health mediated the relationship between the areas of work life and presenteeism [ 33 ]. Similarly, Li et al [ 34 ] also showed a relationship between job stress and presenteeism mediated by mental health. Nonetheless, few studies have assessed the role of work impaired by presenteeism in the relationship between psychosocial factors at work and mental health, which underlines the contribution offered by this study.…”

Remotely Supervised Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic versus in-Person-Supervised Exercise in Achieving Long-Term Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle

“…The clinical relevance of the study is that it involves multi-component interventions that promote a healthy lifestyle within the workplace, from the occupational health service, as established by the WHO [26], in employees with risk factors for the development of NCDs, such as sedentary behavior and overweight. Furthermore, long-term improvement in lifestyle is associated with lower stress levels, better mental health, and higher work productivity [28] Some limitations of this study are that the variables analyzed were self-reported validated surveys and that the population was in a state of predisposition to change, so these results cannot be extrapolated to a population that is not willing to change. The effects achieved in each cohort cannot be attributed to the interventions since the present study was not a randomized controlled trial.…”

“…In addition, health promotion interventions within the companies improve productivity and reduce absenteeism and medical expenses [21,27]. Also, a healthier lifestyle is associated with less perceived stress, increased mental health, and greater productivity in the workplace [28]. As well, in observational studies positive relationships have been found between high adherence to the Mediterranean diet and a higher Healthrelated quality of life (HrQoL) [29] and between high PA levels and a higher HrQoL [30][31][32][33][34].…”

Organisational Intervention on Absenteeism Among Workers: A Systematic Review

“…Another study also supported that physical training involves muscle strengthening that was being implemented at work for 50 minutes, three times per week, added with individual health guidance, had revealed significant reduction in the frequency of sickness absence (Andersen et al 2016). Studies have shown that workplace environment did have a positive correlation on workers' health, thus by injecting health promoting lifestyle at the workplace through physical training would directly reduce presenteeism subsequently suppress absenteeism (Li et al 2019). Apart from that, workplace rehabilitation center together with a good support system at work will help in improving working ability and reducing long term sickness absence (Hoe et al 2012).…”