1.Scientific applications of interaction, moderation, and mediation analyses in occupational health psychology research
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):395-401
In recent years, interaction, moderation, and mediation analyses have been widely used in occupational health psychology research to explore the relationships among independent variables, dependent variables, and other related variables; however, issues of misuse and abuse still exist. This article introduced the concepts, theoretical foundations, research designs, and data analysis methods of these three analytical approaches, examined their application scenarios, strengths and limitations, as well as common forms of misuse and abuse in occupational health psychology research, proposed recommendations for their scientific application, and discussed prospects for future application.
2.Mediating role of psychological resilience between depression and humoral immunological biomarkers in medical staff
Yunyun MA ; Yanshuan WEI ; Lili QIAN ; Xiufeng ZUO ; Dechao WANG ; Shanfa YU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):427-435
Background At present, high level of depression is a serious problem in medical staff and may affect their immune function. The role of psychological resilience between depression and immunity cannot be ignored. However, it is still lack of research report in this area. Objective To explore the mediating effect of psychological resilience on the association between depression and humoral immunological biomarkers in medical staff. Methods A total of 108 medical staff from a tertiary hospital in Henan Province were selected using stratified cluster sampling from September 2022 to December 2022. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to evaluate their psychological resilience and depression. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M (IgM), IgG, IgA, complement 3 (C3), and complement 4 (C4) were detected in fasting venous blood samples. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, independent-samples t-test, and One-way ANOVA were used for comparisons among different demographic groups. Spearman correlation was used to evaluate correlations among measured variables. PROCESS plug-in was used to verify potential mediating effect of psychological resilience on the relationship between depression and humoral immunological biomarkers. Results The M (P25, P75) score of psychological resilience was 65.50 (53.25, 75.00) in the participating medical staff. The ratios of low, medium, and high levels of psychological resilience were 2.78% (3/108), 51.85% (56/108), and 45.37% (49/108), respectively. The M (P25, P75) score of depression was 6.00 (2.00, 8.00). The positive rate of depression was 61.11% (66/108). The correlation analysis results showed that psychological resilience was negatively correlated with depression and serum complement C3 (r=−0.416 and −0.309, P<0.01), positively correlated with serum IgG and serum IgA (r=0.302 and 0.517, P<0.01); optimism, self-improvement, and resilience were negatively correlated with depression (r=−0.387, −0.446, and −0.312, P<0.01), positively correlated with IgG (r=0.194, 0.284, and 0.239, P<0.05), and positively correlated with IgA (r=0.377, 0.378, and 0.444, P<0.01), respectively; resilience was negatively correlated with C3 (r=−0.304, P<0.01), and depression was negatively correlated with serum IgG and serum IgA (r=−0.516 and −0.522, P<0.01), positively correlated with serum complement C3 (r=0.195, P<0.05). The mediating effect test showed that psychological resilience showed mediating effects on the relationship between depression and serum IgA and serum complement C3, with mediating effect values of −0.148 (95%CI: −0.051, −0.012) and 0.111 (95%CI: 0.001, 0.010), and their mediating effect ratios were 28.30% and 56.92%. Conclusion The mental health status of the target medical staff is not optimistic. Depression is associated with changes in some humoral immunological biomarkers. Psychological resilience can mediate the correlations between depression and humoral immunological biomarkers. The managers should take measures to improve the levels of psychological resilience and promote the physical and mental health of medical staff.
3.Advances in research on occupational exposure risks and health effects of nickel–cobalt–manganese ternary materials in lithium batteries
Xiaoying LI ; Yuxin ZHENG ; Shanfa YU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1386-1391
With the rapid proliferation of lithium-ion batteries in new energy vehicles and energy storage systems, increasing attention has been drawn to the occupational exposure risks and potential health hazards associated with their key cathode materials—nickel–cobalt–manganese (NCM) ternary compounds—throughout their entire life cycle. This review outlined the full life cycle of NCM materials and the occupational exposure risks that may arise during each stage. Based on the latest epidemiological and toxicological evidence, it summarized the health effects and toxicities associated with occupational exposure to NCM materials. The review further analyzed major challenges in current occupational health management system, including the limitations of existing occupational exposure limits, the lack of dedicated medical surveillance standards for NCM-related hazards, and the misalignment between occupational hygiene practices and the rapid expansion of the new-energy industry. Finally, future research directions were proposed with the aim of providing a scientific foundation for protecting worker health and supporting the sustainable development of lithium-ion battery industry.
4.The influence of effort-reward imbalance and sleep quality on depressive symptoms in train drivers
Wenhui ZHOU ; Guizhen GU ; Hui WU ; Shanfa YU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):667-672
Objective:To investigate the current situation of depressive symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and sleep quality among train drivers, explore the interaction mechanism between various factors and depressive symptoms, and provide a certain theoretical basis for reducing the level of depressive symptoms among train drivers.Methods:From January to December 2022, train drivers were selected as the research subjects from the locomotive depot of a certain railway bureau through cluster sampling, with a total of 1392 people. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the basic situation, ERI, sleep quality and depressive symptoms of train drivers. Multiple stepwise regression was used to analyze the effects of each dimension of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms.Results:Among 1392 train drivers, 897 (64.4%) were classified as having depressive symptoms. The results of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the dimensions of external effort, reward and overcommitment of ERI explained 10.3% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P<0.01). Sleep quality explained 9.9% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P< 0.01). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, length of service, and educational level, high external effort ( OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.79) and high overcommitment ( OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.50-2.39) and poor sleep quality ( OR=5.82, 95% CI: 4.52-7.49) increased the risk of depressive symptoms for train drivers ( P<0.01), while reward was a protective factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.35-0.55, P<0.01). In the ERI model, high effort and low reward was the greatest risk factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=4.77, 95% CI: 3.41-6.69, P<0.01). In the interaction between ERI and sleep quality, high ERI and poor sleep quality had the greatest negative impact on depressive symptoms ( OR=15.90, 95% CI: 7.27-34.76, P<0.01) . Conclusion:The influence of ERI on depressive symptoms of train drivers has both direct and indirect effects, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role in the influence of ERI on depressive symptoms.
5.Occupational health psychology: origin, status and prospect
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):641-645
This paper introduces the concept and scope of occupational health psychology, reviews its origins and development, summarizes the current status of occupational health psychology research both domestically and internationally from the perspectives of research methods and content, analyzes the connections and distinctions between occupational health psychology and occupational psychology, and provides an outlook on the future direction of occupational health psychology.
6.The influence of effort-reward imbalance and sleep quality on depressive symptoms in train drivers
Wenhui ZHOU ; Guizhen GU ; Hui WU ; Shanfa YU
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):667-672
Objective:To investigate the current situation of depressive symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and sleep quality among train drivers, explore the interaction mechanism between various factors and depressive symptoms, and provide a certain theoretical basis for reducing the level of depressive symptoms among train drivers.Methods:From January to December 2022, train drivers were selected as the research subjects from the locomotive depot of a certain railway bureau through cluster sampling, with a total of 1392 people. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the basic situation, ERI, sleep quality and depressive symptoms of train drivers. Multiple stepwise regression was used to analyze the effects of each dimension of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ERI and sleep quality on depressive symptoms.Results:Among 1392 train drivers, 897 (64.4%) were classified as having depressive symptoms. The results of multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the dimensions of external effort, reward and overcommitment of ERI explained 10.3% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P<0.01). Sleep quality explained 9.9% of the variation in depressive symptoms ( P< 0.01). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables such as age, length of service, and educational level, high external effort ( OR=2.22, 95% CI: 1.76-2.79) and high overcommitment ( OR=1.90, 95% CI: 1.50-2.39) and poor sleep quality ( OR=5.82, 95% CI: 4.52-7.49) increased the risk of depressive symptoms for train drivers ( P<0.01), while reward was a protective factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.35-0.55, P<0.01). In the ERI model, high effort and low reward was the greatest risk factor for depressive symptoms ( OR=4.77, 95% CI: 3.41-6.69, P<0.01). In the interaction between ERI and sleep quality, high ERI and poor sleep quality had the greatest negative impact on depressive symptoms ( OR=15.90, 95% CI: 7.27-34.76, P<0.01) . Conclusion:The influence of ERI on depressive symptoms of train drivers has both direct and indirect effects, and sleep quality plays a partial mediating role in the influence of ERI on depressive symptoms.
7.Occupational health psychology: origin, status and prospect
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):641-645
This paper introduces the concept and scope of occupational health psychology, reviews its origins and development, summarizes the current status of occupational health psychology research both domestically and internationally from the perspectives of research methods and content, analyzes the connections and distinctions between occupational health psychology and occupational psychology, and provides an outlook on the future direction of occupational health psychology.
8.Research progress on occupational hazards in lithium battery industry and their health risks
Haozheng LI ; Shanfa YU ; Hongna ZHANG ; Yuxin ZHENG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(5):579-585
Lithium batteries are widely used in energy storage, power, and other fields due to their advantages such as high performance and low cost. With the rapid development of the lithium battery industry, its production is constantly growing. However, the identification of occupational hazards and assessment of their health risks in lithium battery industry has rarely been reported. The composition of lithium batteries is complex and involves large numbers of compounds. Besides the traditional occupational hazards, workers may be exposed to many emerging chemicals throughout the production of raw materials, assembly and disassembly of lithium batteries. Therefore, this paper introduced the process chain of lithium battery production, analyzed the underlying occupational hazards in the industry, reviewed the health impacts of typical occupational hazards, and proposed the future research needs according to the current status of research on occupational exposure and health hazards in the lithium battery industry.
9.Study on the biological exposure limit of whole blood chromium in occupational hexavalent chromium compounds exposed population
Guiping HU ; Yali ZHANG ; Shiyi HONG ; Zekang SU ; Qiaojian ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Tiancheng WANG ; Shanfa YU ; Guang JIA
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):129-137
ObjectiveTo analyze the exposure-response relationship of peripheral whole blood chromium level and lung function as well as genetic toxicity indicators in workers exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(Ⅵ)] compounds, and to propose a biological exposure limit of whole blood chromium for soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds-exposed workers. Methods A total of 515 workers from a dynamic occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds-exposed cohort in an enterprise from 2010 to 2017 were selected as the research subjects using a retrospective cohort study. A total of 918 followed-up results of research subjects and baseline data of a cohort were analyzed based on bibliometric analysis. The results include lung function tests, whole blood chromium level detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) detected by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, peripheral micronuclei frequency (MNF) detected by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtCN) detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The results of bibliometric analysis showed that domestic and foreign studies on biological monitoring of Cr(Ⅵ) compounds increased year by year in the past 30 years, and whole blood chromium levels had a good correlation with the occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds exposure. The geometric mean of whole blood chromium levels in males and females among the occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds exposure cohort was 2.77 and 1.79 μg/L, respectively. A turning point appeared in 6.00 μg/L chromium in whole blood of the exposure-response curve of whole blood chromium levels with lung function indicators and genetic toxicity indicators. For each unit increase in the natural logarithm-transformed whole blood chromium level, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased by 0.05 L, the FEV1/forced-vital-capacity decreased by 0.67%, the peak expiratory flow decreased by 0.15 L/s, the maximal mid-expiratory flow decreased by 0.09 L/s, the MNF increased by 0.149‰, the urinary 8-OHdG increased by 0.090 μg/g, and the mtCN increased by 0.013. When the whole blood chromium level was >6.00 μg/L, there was a significant increase in urinary 8-OHdG, MNF, and mtCN (all P<0.01). Conclusion The level of whole blood chromium can be used as a biomarker for occupational exposure to soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds. The preliminary biological exposure limit is set at 6.00 μg/L for whole blood chromium in workers exposed to soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds.
10.Understanding of job burnout hazards and active promotion of scientific research based prevention and control strategy
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(4):369-373
Job burnout is rampant in workplaces and has become an important global public health concern. It is one of the top occupational health problems to be addressed in the workplace in Europe and America. The prevalence rate of job burnout is also at a high level in China, and cannot be ignored for its associated health loss and economic impact of occupational population, so we should deepen the understanding of job burnout hazards, promote relevant scientific research, and develop associated prevention and control programs. This paper introduced the epidemic status of job burnout, health hazards and economic impact, development stage, influencing factors, conceptual models, measurement and evaluation methods, and prevention and control measures, and proposed scientific research directions as well as prevention and control strategies of job burnout in the future.

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