Association between work environment changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and post-traumatic stress disorder in Japanese workers during the emergency declaration

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the association between COVID-19 pandemic-related work environment changes and suspected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Japanese workers. Methods: A web survey of 1104 workers was conducted in Japan between February 24 and March 2, 2021. The Japanese version of the Impact of Event Scale–Revised and questions regarding work environments and COVID-19 pandemic-related lifestyle changes were used. Results: PTSD was suspected in 19.7% of respondents and was significantly higher in men (22.2%) than in women (17.2%). Being older and having an independent business were associated with decreased suspected PTSD risk. Longer online work hours, decreased sleep duration, and alcoholism were associated with increased suspected PTSD risk. When stratified by sex, long online work hours and fewer years of service were associated with increased suspected PTSD risk in men. An association between alcoholism and suspected PTSD was also observed in men. Younger age and decreased sleep duration were significantly associated with suspected PTSD in women. Conclusion: Younger men with shorter work service duration were particularly vulnerable to pandemic-related PTSD, emphasizing the risks associated with long online work hours and alcoholism in men. Decreased sleep duration was a PTSD predictor in both sexes, suggesting its importance in PTSD prevention strategies for workers.