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Evidence is limited concerning the influences of high psychological job strain and low social support at work on daytime secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which demonstrates anti-cortisol effects. We carried out a cross-sectional study to examine the associations of job strain and social support with daytime secretion amounts of DHEA and cortisol and daytime variation of the cortisol-to-DHEA ratio (C/D ratio) in healthy female workers. Study subjects comprised 115 healthy female nursery school teachers. Area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG) of salivary DHEA, cortisol and C/D ratio was calculated for estimation of daytime secretion and variation. Social support scores were negatively associated with daytime DHEA secretion (standardized partial regression coefficient = -0.343, P < 0.001 by multiple linear regression analysis). This association remained significant when daytime cortisol secretion was additionally adjusted. Social support was not associated with daytime variation of the C/D ratio. Significant association between social support and daytime cortisol secretion was not confirmed. Job strain was not associated with DHEA, cortisol or the C/D ratio. In summary, we found that daytime DHEA secretion was increased in healthy workers with low social support, perhaps independent of daytime cortisol secretion.

Objective: To examine the prospective effects of psychosocial job characteristics evaluated with the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models on insomnia., Methods: A prospective cohort study with a two-year observation was performed. The subjects were 1022 middle-aged (>or= 39 years) Japanese workers. The following associations were analyzed: high job strain, low social support, effort-reward imbalance, and overcommitment to work at the baseline with self-reported persistence and future onset of insomnia., Results: Among those who were insomniacs at the baseline (N=292), low social support [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 2.00 (1.18, 3.40)] and effort-reward imbalance [2.40 (1.13, 5.10)] at the baseline had a significant relationship to insomnia at the follow-up. Among those who were not insomniacs at the baseline (N=730), overcommitment to work [1.75 (1.16, 2.66)] and high job strain [1.72 (1.06, 2.79)] at the baseline were associated with insomnia at follow-up., Conclusions: Prospective effects of psychosocial job characteristics on insomnia differed between its persistence and future onset. Proportionate reward for work effort and sufficient support at work assist recovery from insomnia, while overcommitment to work and high job strain cause future onset of insomnia.

Objective: The objective was to clarify factors, including Internet-accessed advice for smoking cessation, associated with smoking cessation among participants of the Quit Smoking Marathon (QSM), a one-month smoking cessation program involving use of e-mails and a mailinglist., Methods: The subjects were 88 volunteers who aimed to quit smoking and completed the QSM program. Those who remained abstinent from smoking at 1 year thereafter were defined as successful quitters. Factors associated with successful smoking cessation were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders and separately for use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)., Results: Successful smoking cessation was reported by 49 subjects (55.7%). For the NRT-free group, sending 10 or more e-mails to the mailing-list was significantly associated with successful smoking cessation [odds ratio: 10.7, P=0.015]., Conclusion: Frequent e-mailing to the mailing-list followed by obtaining personal advice is an effective way to quit smoking among QSM participants not using NRT.

Aim: Care for people with schizophrenia is shifting the locus from long‐stay mental hospitals to nonspecialized community‐based settings. Knowledge on the care is not a sole property of psychiatric specialists. Community healthcare workers who do not specialize in psychiatry are recommended to learn more about schizophrenia. This review aimed to summarize recent findings on subjective well‐being and physical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: A literature review was conducted. We retrieved findings from existing systematic reviews and meta‐analyses as our preferred method. When data were not available, we referred to other types of studies. Results: As per our review, individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated poor subjective well‐being, happiness, and life satisfaction despite individual differences. Pharmacotherapy caused weight gain and constipation, whereas race and hospitalization might affect weight reduction. Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrated poor oral health, a high prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, and unique eating behaviors. Depression, sleep disorders, smoking, and alcohol and drug consumption were frequently found in the individuals. Research findings regarding problematic internet and smartphone use and stress perception were limited. Low health literacy and neglect of preventable behaviors were frequently seen in individuals with schizophrenia. They tended to be less educated, poor, unemployed, unmarried/unattached, and had poor social cognition, resulting in little social support and a small social network. Conclusion: Retrieving recent data, we confirmed that individuals with schizophrenia had poor subjective well‐being and suffer from various physical, psychiatric, and social comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study done in order to determine the reliability and validity of the Japanese translated version of the Swedish demand-control- support questionnaire (J-DCSQ).The study encompassed 212 women working in nursery schools. It mentions that the J-DCSQ used in the study covers psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support in the workplace. It concludes that findings of the findings exhibited sufficient reliability of the J-DCSQ.