OBJECTIVETo analyze the job burnout and mental health status of clinicians and the relationship of personality with job burnout and psychological stress, and to investigate the direct or indirect effects of personality on psychological stress.

METHODSMaslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSC), and Kessler 10 Scale were administered to 775 clinicians.

RESULTSOf all clinicians, 29.5% had mild burnout, with a score of 22.7 ± 8.18 for psychological stress risk. The effect of personality on emotional exhaustion and cynicism was greater than that on personal accomplishment. Clinicians with a personality of introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism suffered a higher risk of psychological stress. Personality had both direct and indirect effects on psychological stress. Neuroticism had the strongest effect on psychological stress, with an effect size of 0.55.

CONCLUSIONClinicians have a high level of both job burnout and mental psychological stress risk. Personality is significantly correlated with job burnout and psychological stress risk. Measures depending on personality should be taken for effective intervention.

Anxiety Disorders ; Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Neuroticism ; Personality ; Physicians ; psychology ; Risk ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between nurse job burnout and salivary lysozyme activity.

METHODSThe saliva samples of 131 subjects were collected at four time points for two consecutive days with saliva collection tubes. The acquisition time points were 8:00 (baseline concentration), 10:00 (morning), 15:30 (afternoon), and 17:30 (recovery period). At the same time every subjects completed the job burnout questionnaire to investigate their general demographic characteristics and job burnout level. The salivary lysozyme concentration was measured with ELISA. The data were analyzed by partial correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in the salivary lysozyme activity between subjects with different ages, working years, and education levels. The work period vitality and the average energy of ≤ 30 age group were higher than other two groups and the recovery energy was higher than >35 age group. Working period vitality, the average energy of group >15 years were less than ≤ 10 years group. The work period energy and the average energy of university (college) and above group were lower than high school (secondary) and the following group. Job burnout and its three dimensions had a significant negative correlation with salivary lysozyme concentration (P < 0.01). Depersonalization and emotional exhaustion were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity at baseline. Emotional exhaustion and personal fulfillment were the negative impact factors for salivary lysozyme activity during the working period. Personal fulfillment was the negative factor for salivary lysozyme activity during the recovery period and the average salivary lysozyme activity.

CONCLUSIONSalivary lysozyme activity is sensitive for nurse job burnout, so it can be used as an objective evaluation index of job burnout.

Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Emotions ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Muramidase ; analysis ; Nurses ; psychology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Regression Analysis ; Salivary Proteins and Peptides ; analysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current status and characteristics of work-related fatigue among scientific and technical personnel and its associated factors, and to provide a scientific basis for further interventions.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in the staff from a single scientific institution, using a self-administered questionnaire. Basic information of participants, Fatigue Scale-14, and Job Content Questionnaire were collected.

RESULTSThe prevalence of work-related fatigue among the scientific and technical personnel was 54.6%; work-related fatigue was positively correlated with occupational stress (rs = 0.384, P < 0.05). Significant differences in the scores, proportions, and types of fatigue were found between different types of occupational stress. The associated factors of work-related fatigue included occupational stress profiles, social support, and educational status. A higher risk of work-related fatigue was found in the staff under high stress, compared with those under low stress (OR = 8.5, 95%CI = 3.9∼18.7). Social support served as a protective factor for work-related fatigue, while a higher level of education was correlated with more severe work-related fatigue.

CONCLUSIONWork-related fatigue is common and serious among scientific and technical personnel, especially in those under high stress. Effective interventions according to occupational stress are of great importance to reduce work-related fatigue.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatigue ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Research Personnel ; psychology ; Risk Factors ; Social Support ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo probe the tendency of physiological and psychological change of armored vehicle drivers working continuously in hot environment.

METHODSTen cross-designed standard subjects were divided into control group and driver group. The driver group worked continuously in 32 degrees C approximately 38 degrees C and RH 50% approximately 80% environment. Heart rate, body temperature, systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were synchronously and dynamically determined during work. Psychological parameters such as profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire, serial addition/subtraction (SAS) and two-digit search (TDS) selected from neurobehavioral evaluation system (NES) before and after work were also tested.

RESULTSThe curves of the four main physiological parameters rapidly synchro-rose to a peak at (36 +/- 3) min, whereafter the curves descended smoothly. At (144 +/- 8) min, the curves climbed up to the second peak. The determination of the behavioral psychology revealed that the degree of fatigue of the drivers increased gradually when the working time prolonged, and the grip descended by great extent, excitement reduced markedly after work, but the negative mood, such as confusion and depression were increased, error of visual apperceive-operation was increased, right decreased, intelligence reduced, rapidity and delicacy of movement reduced.

CONCLUSIONThe physiological parameters of armored vehicle drivers working continuously in the hot condition appeared double-peak effect, the 1st peak was at (36 +/- 3) min, and the body was in mobilizing stage. Whereafter, the body was in smooth stage. And at (144 +/- 8) min, when the 2nd peak appeared, the body then was in physiological tolerance limit stage.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Adult ; Affect ; Automobile Driving ; psychology ; Body Temperature ; Fatigue ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Heart Rate ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Male

This study investigated gender differences in symptom profiles of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the Korean general population. Data were pooled from the series of nationwide Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area surveys conducted in 2001, 2006 and 2011, respectively. Of the 18,807 participants, 507 (397 women and 110 men) were diagnosed with MDD within the prior 12 months. In agreement with previous studies, women with MDD appeared to be more vulnerable to experiencing atypical depressive episodes defined as depression with two or more symptoms of fatigue, increased appetite and hypersomnia (P < 0.001). In terms of individual symptoms, female gender was significantly related with higher prevalence of fatigue (P = 0.008), hypersomnia (P = 0.001), noticeable psychomotor retardation (P = 0.029) and suicidal attempts (P = 0.016) with adjustment for birth cohort effect, partner status, and employment status. In the same analysis, men with MDD appeared more vulnerable to decreased libido than women (P = 0.009). This is the first report to demonstrate gender differences in symptomatology of MDD in the general Korean population, and the results are comparable to previous investigations from western societies. Assumingly, the intercultural similarity in female preponderance to atypical depression might reflect the common biological construct underlying the gender difference in mechanism of MDD. In clinical settings, gender differences of MDD should be carefully considered, because these features could be related with treatment response and drug side effects.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Depression/*diagnosis/*epidemiology/psychology ; Depressive Disorder, Major/*diagnosis/*epidemiology/psychology ; Employment/psychology/statistics & numerical data ; Fatigue/*epidemiology/psychology ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Distribution ; Sex Factors ; Spouses/psychology/statistics & numerical data ; Symptom Assessment/*statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors that influencing the occurrence of road-related traffic injuries, so as to provide related bases for controlling injuries.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted on 256 drivers with histories of accidents and their controls. EPQ questionnaire and a self-designed questionnaire were used to collect data. Risk factors would include behaviors as driving time per day, types of vehicles, time and status of sleep, degree of education, diet habits, feeling of tiredness, alcohol intake, time of watching television before driving and marriage status. Physiological index as blood type, blood pressure, cordial, using tranquillizers, disease history, reaction time, eyesight, overweight, etc. were also tested. Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze risk factors.

RESULTSFrom all these tests, risk factors which including dietetic rhythm (OR = 1.815), tiredness (OR = 3.263), history of digestive disease (OR = 3.504), weak eye sight (OR = 3.825), being divorced (OR = 3.226), wake up early (OR = 4.931), mixed insomnia (OR = 5.719), simple reaction time (OR = 3.498), complex reaction time (OR = 2.292), P score (OR = 1.352), E score (OR = 1.439) were noticed to be significantly important.

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of road-related injuries were related to a series of physiological, psychological and behavioral risk factors among drivers.

Accidents, Traffic ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Fatigue ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients in South Korea and to identify factors influencing their QOL. METHODS: Data were collected from 144 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy during 2012 at one general hospital located in Seoul. Physical symptoms were measured by the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 56.6 and most of them were not employed. In terms of cancer stage, 38.2% were in stage 3, followed by stage 4 (34.7%). The most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. The mean score for anxiety was 5.40 with a prevalence of 23% and that of depression 8.85 with a prevalence of 64.6%. The mean score for quality of life was 81.93 out of 136 and 75.3% of the variance in QOL was explained by depression, symptoms, anxiety, treatment place, and occupational status. Depression was the strongest predictive factor. CONCLUSION: Oncology professionals need to pay special attention to relieving depression as well as physical symptoms to improve QOL during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Anxiety ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/*psychology ; Depression/epidemiology ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prevalence ; *Quality of Life ; Republic of Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires