Limited social support is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia in a Japanese working population

BackgroundLack of social support is associated with depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This study aimed to determine the source of support related to depression, anxiety, and insomnia among Japanese workers.MethodsAs part of a cohort study, we conducted a questionnaire survey among city government employees in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, from September 2021 to March 2022. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia, respectively. We used the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) to assess job stressors and social support (from supervisors, colleagues, and family).ResultsA total of 1,852 Japanese employees (38.4% male, 45.9 & PLUSMN; 12.9 years) participated in the survey, with 15.5, 10.8, and 8.2% of the participants having depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 & GE; 10), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 & GE; 10), and insomnia (ISI & GE; 15), respectively. The logistic regression analysis suggested that job stressors were associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001), and insomnia (p = 0.009). In contrast, support from co-workers (p = 0.016) and family members (p = 0.001) was associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Support from family members was associated with decreased insomnia (p = 0.005).ConclusionSocial support from co-workers and family may be associated with reduced depressive symptoms, and family support may be associated with reduced insomnia in the Japanese working population.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between social support, job stress, and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, insomnia) among Japanese workers. The findings suggest that job stress is associated with increased depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and insomnia, while support from co-workers and family members may be linked to reduced depressive symptoms and insomnia.