Japanese University Teachers’ Depression Status and Its Influence Factors

Risk factors of the depression are the occupational stress. The mental health condition of university teachers who participate in the socialization of diverse students is an important issue;however, there are few studies on depression among university teachers. The purpose of this study is to clarify Japanese university teachers’ depression status assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and its influence factors: Japanese university teachers’ depression status depression status, personal background, job situation, social support, and stress coping behavior. The self-administered questionnaire survey was mailed to 924 university teachers in Japan, with a survey return rate of 43.8% (N = 405). A total of 342 surveys were completed and valid. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Japanese version of the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) and the Work Situation Questionnaire (WSQ) were analyzed to clarify the depression status and its influence factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors related to the major depression. The subjects included 274 men (80.1%) and 68 women (19.9%), 105 professors (30.7%), 52 associate professors (15.2%), 53 lecturers (15.5%) and 132 assistants (38.6%). The subjects’ mean of age and teaching experiences were 44.1 ± 9.7 years, 15.6 ± 10.1 years. The mean PHQ score was 3.9 ± 4.1, and 307 subjects (89.8%) were 0 - 9 points and 35 subjects (10.2%) were over 10 points (10 points or over). For women [OR = 7.009, 95% CI 2.387 - 20.584;p < 0.001], religion [OR = 1.813, 95% CI 1.175 - 2.798;p = 0.007], self-blame [OR = 1.808, 95% CI 1.280 - 2.556;p = 0.001], substance use [OR = 1.453, 95% CI 1.103 - 1.913;p = 0.008] were risk factors of depression status. On the other hand, high job satisfaction level [OR = 0.945, 95% CI 0.921 - 0.969;p < 0.001], higher age [OR = 0.927, 95% CI 0.873 - 0.984;p =0.014], use of instrumental support [OR = 0.622, 95% CI 0.399 - 0.969;p = 0.036], and use of social support [OR = 0.588, 95% CI 0.376 - 0.921;p = 0.020] were factors that reduced the risk of depression. These findings suggested that in order to improve the depression status of university teachers, and to develop mental health measures for university faculty members based on such risk factors are necessary in the future.

Occupational stress and its related factors among university teachers in Japan

The purpose of this research was to investigate occupational stress and its related factors among university teachers in Japan. Questionnaire surveys were mailed to 924 university teachers in Japan with a response rate of 43.8%, N = 405. The General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), short Japanese version of brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) and the Work Situation Questionnaires (WSQ) developed by the authors were administered to participants. Results indicated that university teachers had some mental health problems in relation to gender, professional position, conditions of taking paid leave, job satisfaction, job control, social support, and coping skills. These findings provide evidence that in order to improve the mental health of university, teachers need to take their paid leave freely. It is important to keep high their job satisfaction levels, job control levels, and social support. The results also indicated that the ineffective coping styles lead to poor mental health. In addition, the findings identified the necessity for support of female teachers and younger lecturers, who had a greater tendency toward poor mental health.

Clarifying the Strengths-Oriented Attitude among Nurses in Psychiatric Hospitals in Japan

Japanese psychiatric mental health systems are being steadily improved. Psychiatric nurses’ attitude towards strengths of persons with mental disability is critical in order to promote de-institutionalization of patients. However, nurses’ attitudes, particularly their Strengths-Oriented Attitude (SOA) has not been well studied and explained. The purpose of this study was to clarify the SOA of nurses working in psychiatric hospitals in Japan. There were 1148 Psychiatric Registered Nurses (PRN) and Psychiatric Practical Nurses (PPN) employed at 17 psychiatric hospitals in Japan who consented to participate in the study. The self-administered questionnaire was mailed and returned between October 2013 and January 2014. The subjects’ SOA was evaluated using the Strengths-Oriented Attitude Inventory (SOAI) developed by the authors based on the work by Rapp and Goscha. The actual SOA and its relationship to individual characteristics were also analyzed to clarify the SOAI. Factor analysis revealed four components of the SOAI: Factor 1 = “Nursing practice based on the assessment which focused on social resources”;Factor 2 = “Nursing practice based on the holistic assessment of person with mental disability”;Factor 3 = “Support in community which respected the person’s way of living”;and Factor 4 = “Emphasize of the strengths of individual with mental disability.” Results indicated a high orientation toward Factors 2 and 4, but a low orientation toward Factors 1 and 3. There were no significant differences between age, years of psychiatric nursing experience, academic background, and subjects’ SOA. However, differences were observed in gender, current workplace, work position, type of license, and work experience. The subjects showed low orientation toward social resources and respected the patient’s way of life. Nurses working in psychiatric mental health institutions should receive continuing education courses designed to increase their orientation toward Factors 1 and 3.