Qualitative job stress and ego aptitude in male scientific researchers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Job environments have been fundamentally changed by globalization and modern technological innovation. Qualitative workload is expected to increase more than quantitative workload through this rapid technological innovation. Especially, in developed countries, qualitative workload is expected to become a primary job-related stress factor in the near future. Therefore, it is essential to clarify the characteristics of qualitative workload and to determine how to cope with it effectively.

OBJECTIVES: Since job stress level and ego aptitude are correlated and qualitative overload increases stress, we examined qualitative overload and ego aptitude among male Japanese cutting-edge science researchers.

METHODS: The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and the Tokyo University Ego-gram New Version II were distributed to all workers at two Japanese academic institutions.

RESULTS: Qualitative overload and adult ego aptitude, representing rationalism, were higher in male researchers than in the Japanese male general sample. In addition, adapted child aptitude, representing obedience, was lower in male researchers. Lack of supervisor support was positively associated with qualitative overload, and nurturing parent ego aptitude was negatively associated with it.

CONCLUSIONS: Male researchers had higher levels of qualitative overload. Increasing supervisor support is essential in decreasing this qualitative overload. Furthermore, enhancement of nurturing parent ego aptitude (i.e., careful consideration for others) is also important for qualitative overload management.

Keywords

Job stress qualitative overload mental disorders occupational health work environment

1 Introduction

Mental health problems cause an enormous toll on worker productivity and well-being [1, 2]. Mental disorders are more frequent and cause more suffering and disability than any other condition [3 –5]. In Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that 60.9% of employed individuals experience strong job stress; this proportion has increased nearly 10% over the past 20 years [6]. This is a much higher rate than other developed countries. Additionally, in Japan, the amount of workers’ compensation that has been claimed due to job-related mental disorders has increased nearly four times over the past 10 years [7]. Furthermore, of the approximate 30,000 annual suicide cases in Japan, approximately 9,000 cases involved employed individuals [8, 9]. According to a report by the Japanese National Police Agency, among these 9,000 suicides, approximately 2,500 occurred because of job stress [10]. Consequently, decreasing job stress is a matter of great urgency for occupational health.

Some studies have reported that stress reactions vary according to gender, job type, and employment position [11 –14]. Furthermore, Parekh et al. found a significant association between stress level and ego state, summarizing the characteristics of various ego states and appropriate measures for coping with stress [14]. Shimomitsu et al. mentioned that some essential job-related stressors, including qualitative overload, have important influences on stress reactions [15]. Dewa et al. reported that in Canada, the highest prevalence of anxiety disorders occurs among professional workers and the highest frequency of depression occurs among semi-professional workers [16]. These are the occupations in which work is most frequently evaluated in terms of quality rather than quantity. In the rapidly developing scientific and advancing industrial structure of modern society [17], qualitative overload is speculated to have increased. In our previous studies, scientific researchers had higher levels of qualitative overload than other types of workers [18, 19]. Additionally, qualitative workload was positively associated with physical complaints such as headache or back pain [18]. In psychodynamic theory, somatic symptoms induced by psychological stress are conceptualized as an ego defense with unconscious rechanneling of repressed emotions into somatic symptoms as a form of symbolic communication [20]. Therefore, it is essential for researchers’ stress coping to clarify the characteristics of both qualitative workload and ego aptitudes. Yet few researchers have examined them in detail.

2 Methods

2.1 Survey methods and participants

This study was conducted at two academic institutions in western Japan where research is conducted in fields ranging from fundamental studies in biology to cutting-edge work in medical science (e.g., brain imaging and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell studies). Both institutions belong to Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution founded in 1917 and renowned for high-quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. Researchers at the institutions conduct world-class studies with technical support from research technicians, clerical support from office assistants, and administrative staff from the research promotion division.

The participants in this study were all male Japanese researchers. We excluded female and foreign researchers because job-related stress factors, in particular social support, differed by the sex of the researcher in our previous study [19]. Furthermore, job-related stress factors varied by nationality due to the need to work in the Japanese language. In addition, the ratio of Japanese men among researchers is very high in these institutions. Therefore, we excluded both females and non-Japanese expatriates and focused on male Japanese researchers in this study.

As a part of health promotion and guidance in this research association, the occupational health physician certified by the Japan Medical Association conducted this survey. Both the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) published by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2000 [15] and Tokyo University Ego-gram New Version II (TEG II)[21, 22] were distributed to all participants and collected on the day of the periodic legal health examination in July 2011.

2.2 Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ)

The BJSQ, a 57-item multidimensional job stress questionnaire using a four-point Likert-type response scale, from 4 (strongly agree) to 1 (strongly disagree), was used to assess job stress. It focuses on stress reactions (psychological distress and physical complaints), job stressors, and social support. Psychological distress includes vigor, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and depression and each of these elements comprises three questions. Physical complaints contain one element comprising 11 questions. Job stressors include quantitative overload, qualitative overload, physical overload, interpersonal relationships, workplace environment, job control, skill discretion, job suitability, and job reward. Qualitative overload includes three questions regarding work difficulty, required degree of concentration, and required level of knowledge and technical skill. The social support component includes questions about supervisors, coworkers, and family/friend support and queries respondents’ life satisfaction. In this study, BJSQ raw scores were analyzed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for all 57 factors were generally high (0.65–0.91) revealing that the BJSQ had internal consistency [15]. The scale construction was highly consistent with the factor structure for its factorial and criterion-related validity [15].

2.3 Tokyo University Ego-gram II (TEG II)

The TEG II by the Tokyo University TEG study group [22], a 53-item multidimensional ego aptitude questionnaire using a three-point Likert-type response scale, from 2 (agree) to 0 (disagree), was used to assess ego state. TEG II, which is based on Berne’s transactional analysis theory [23], focuses on five ego states: critical parent, nurturing parent, adult, free child, and adapted child. Analysis of these five states allows understanding of their characteristic tendencies [21 –23]. The critical parent ego state is characterized by criticism, severity, and perfectionism. The nurturing parent ego state is characterized by consideration, kindness, and tolerance. The adult ego state is characterized by rationalism, a business-like attitude, and sane judgment. The free child ego state is characterized by creativity, unrestraint, and liveliness. The adapted child ego state is characterized by obedience, meekness, and passivity [21, 22]. Internal consistency and factorial and criterion-related validity on the TEG II have been previously demonstrated [22]. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients in all factors were sufficiently high (0.77–0.84) and the goodness of fit indices in all scales were also sufficiently high (0.87–0.93) [22].

2.4 Statistical analyses

Raw score directions on the BJSQ were converted so that the stress level was directly indicated by the score level. The BJSQ and TEG II scores of male researchers were compared with those of a male general sample from the Japanese population [15] using the z-test. Next, to determine the association of social support and qualitative overload among the researchers, multiple regression analysis was performed with age as a control variable and social support as an independent variable, and qualitative overload as the dependent variable. Finally, to determine the association of ego aptitude and qualitative overload, multiple regression analysis was also performed with age as a control variable and ego aptitude as an independent variable, and qualitative overload as the dependent variable. In this model, BJSQ scores were transformed in a linear manner, ranging from 0 (best score) to 100 (worst score) before substitution in order to standardize the β coefficients from the multiple regression analysis and to assure comparability among the items. Variance inflation factor values were all well below 10 and tolerance statistics were all well above 0.2; therefore, no substantial collinearity was present within the data. All analyses were conducted using the JMP statistical software version 4 (SAS Institute, Tokyo, Japan) and Excel Statistics 2010 (SSRI Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The level of significance was set at 5%.

2.5 Ethical considerations

Based on the Japanese Industrial Safety and Health Law, this investigation was conducted in order to promote mental health in this association by the occupational health physician certified by the Japan Medical Association. This survey was administered as part of the occupational health physician’s official job and the Safety and Health Committee of the Institutes approved it. Analyzing this investigation, the occupational health physician provided health guidance to employees with high levels of job stress. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. After the health guidance, medical staff in the institutions redacted all personal information to prevent individual identification. Only researchers in this survey handled the redacted data, which were kept in a locked drawer in the laboratory for safety. The research was completed in compliance with the ethical guidelines for epidemiological research by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare [23, 24] and the Helsinki Declaration.

3 Results

3.1 Study participants

The BJSQ and TEG II were distributed to all 122 Japanese male researchers. Responses were collected from 112 male researchers. The response rate was 92.2%. The mean age of all respondents was 35.5±6.0 years.

3.2 Comparison of BJSQ scores

First, in this study, one of the research goals was to analyze job-related stress factors focused on qualitative workload affecting male researchers at cutting-edge Japanese academic institutions. Table 1 compares job-related stress factors between male researchers and the general sample of male Japanese workers reported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare [15]. Regarding job stressors, scores for qualitative overload were significantly higher in male researchers than in the general sample. On the other hand, scores for interpersonal relationships, workplace environment, lack of job control, insufficient skill discretion, job suitability, and lack of reward were significantly lower in male researchers than in the general sample. No significant differences in quantitative and physical overload were found between male researchers and the generalsample.

Regarding stress reactions, scores for lack of vigor were significantly higher in male researchers than in the general sample of Japanese men. On the other hand, scores for irritability, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and physical complaints were significantly lower in male researchers than in the general sample of Japanese men. Regarding social support, scores for lack of supervisor support, lack of coworker support, lack of family/friend support, and dissatisfaction with life were significantly lower in male researchers than in the general sample.

3.3 Comparison of TEG II scores

Second, one of the research goals was to analyze the characteristics of ego aptitude in male researchers at cutting-edge Japanese academic institutions. Table 2 compares ego aptitudes between the male researchers and Japanese men in the general sample published by the Tokyo University TEG study group [21, 22]. Scores for the adult ego state were significantly higher in male researchers than in the general sample. On the other hand, scores for the adapted child ego state were significantly lower in male researchers than the general sample.

3.4 Association of social support with qualitative overload among researchers

Table 3 shows the association of social support with qualitative overload among male researchers. Lack of supervisor support was positively associated with qualitative overload.

3.5 Association of ego aptitudes with qualitative overload among researchers

Table 4 shows the association of ego aptitudes with qualitative overload among male researchers. Nurturing parent ego state was negatively associated with qualitative workload.

4 Discussion

Scientific technology and wide dissemination of sophisticated information has rapidly developed in modern society [16]. One result of this change is that far more employees in developed countries are exposed to severe qualitative overload than ever before [16].

In this study, scientific researchers had high levels of qualitative overload. They had strong adult-ego aptitude and weak-adapted child-ego aptitude. In addition, an association between a lack of supervisor support and qualitative overload in male researchers was identified. Furthermore, nurturing parent-ego aptitude was negatively associated with qualitative overload.

4.1 Job stressors for male researchers

To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare job-related stress factors of male researchers in cutting-edge fields with those of a general sample (Table 1). According to the reports of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare [8], interpersonal relationships are the most important job stressors among Japanese workers. However, in this study, markedly higher levels of qualitative overload were observed in male researchers than in the general sample. In our previous study, researchers also had remarkably higher levels of qualitative overload than technicians or clerical workers from the same institution [18]. Therefore, we are confident that male researchers’ job stress is characterized by very high levels of qualitative overload. Research work involves heavy competition in terms of research quality (i.e., novelty, originality, and impact). This places considerable stress on researchers in academic institutions, although they do not experience the stress involved with pursuing profit or serving customers [25, 26]. Globally, researchers engage in serious intellectual competition to obtain study funds and higher research positions. Furthermore, because they are mostly limited-term researchers, they are severely pressured to show impact and innovative outcomes over a very brief period [27]. Qualitative factors are thus the most influential elements in their work.

4.2 Ego aptitude for male researchers

To our knowledge, this is also the first study to compare the ego states of male researchers with those of a general sample of workers. In this study, on average, male researchers scored significantly higher for adult ego state and lower for the adapted child ego state compared with the general sample of Japanese men (Table 2). On the TEG II, male researchers were characterized by an adult dominant/adapted child recessive ego type. Shinzato et al. [21] described a very similar ego state type in their manual on TEG II, commenting that people with this ego type are clear-headed and characterized by a spirit of self-reliance. The characteristics of a strong adult ego state are obviously essential in scientific research performance, which calls for rational decision making [19]. Moreover, the characteristics of a weak adapted child ego state must also be suitable for this occupation, because novelty, originality, free thinking, and unfettered inspiration are essential for world-class research performance [19].

4.3 Association between supervisor support and qualitative overload for male researchers

In a previous study, Kawada and Otsuka reported that job control and support contributed significantly to job satisfaction for general workers [28]. In this study, qualitative overload was significantly associated with lack of supervisor support, but not with lack of coworker or family/friend support (Table 3). In these institutions, supervisors were all research directors and world-famous scientists. We speculated that research workers asked their supervisors for not only material help but also mental support or encouragement. This is because the qualitative factors of their studies, such as originality or novelty, were the most fundamental elements, but the most difficult problems for researchers, in contrast, were with their quantitative overload [18]. Consequently, in this study, supervisor support was essential to relieve qualitative overload. Therefore, in pioneering science fields, occupational health professionals should give high priority to providing assistance for their subordinates’ mental health. This result will be useful in planning management of mental health in occupations involving high qualitativeoverload [29].

4.4 Association between nurturing parent ego aptitude and qualitative overload for male researchers

In the study sample, qualitative overload was significantly and negatively associated with nurturing ego aptitude (Table 4). This very interesting finding is compatible with our previous study [19], in which the group of workers with high stress reactions scored significantly lower than the group of workers with low stress reactions for the nurturing parent ego state. Consideration for others, which is a characteristic of high nurturing parent ego aptitude, can orient workers toward their communities and contribute to successful human relationships in the workplace. We speculated that research workers in such highly competitive fields seek meaningful ties without realizing it. Thus, the improvement of mental health in their colleagues and supervisors also benefited them. For these reasons, high nurturing ego aptitude may correlate with low qualitative overload in researchers. In terms of mental health guidance, psychiatrists and occupational health professionals should advise workers in intellectual occupations to promote their nurturing ego state for their own mental health [14 , 31]. However, it is not easy for them to solve this dilemma, because the employees with high work-overload do not have sufficient resources (e.g., time, energy, and mental allowance) for nurturing behaviors. Therefore, supervisors’ support is likely essential for them to break this viciouscircle.

4.5 Limitations and future research directions

First, the results presented here regarding qualitative overload may not necessarily represent the situation for all highly intelligent workers [32, 33] because this study was completed at only two top-level institutions in Japan. Racial, sexual and cultural differences in qualitative overload were also not considered in this study. In addition, we did not focus on the aspect of novelty or originality in qualitative overload. To determine the details of qualitative overload, specialists in a future study should conduct interviews.

Second, regarding study method, no causal relationships between job-related stress factors, ego aptitude, and qualitative overload can be inferred because of the cross-sectional design of this study. Follow-up studies are thus required. Because of rapid globalization, scientific research and technology fields are rapidly progressing. Competition in these areas will become increasingly intense [26]. In the labor market, the ratio of jobs characterized by high qualitative overload, such as those in the creative industries [32, 33], will increase rapidly in the future. Identification of positive and negative influences on qualitative overload for workers in intellectual occupations, not only in science research but also in other creative occupations, is vital.

5 Conclusions

Due to the rapid development of scientific technology and wide dissemination of sophisticated information in modern society, the global industrial structure has changed. [17] Helping employees cope with qualitative overload is a pressing matter in occupational health.

In this study, scientific male researchers had high levels of qualitative overload. They had strong adult ego aptitude and weak adapted child ego aptitude. In addition, an association between supervisor support and qualitative overload in male researchers was identified. Furthermore, nurturing parent ego aptitude was negatively associated with qualitative overload. In summary, more supervisors’ support and closer ties with colleagues are vital for research workers in such cutting-edge fields. This study provides information to aid psychiatrists and occupational health professionals in aiding workers with mental illness in today’s sophisticated information-orientedsociety.

Funding

I do not have any funding sources for this study.

Conflict of interest

The author has no conflict of interest to report.

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