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Researchers at University of Tsukuba found that people who have switched jobs are more likely to experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia, based on the results of an internet survey conducted with approximately 20,000 people in Japan. Although changing jobs can be a chance for a fresh start, it can also lead to increased physical and mental stress. This finding highlights the need to reexamine the support systems available to working individuals.

Tsukuba, Japan—Job changes are widely employed for career development; however, their effects on health have attracted little attention until now. Data from an internet survey conducted with approximately 20,000 people nationwide were analyzed to elucidate the relationship between "job changes" and "self-reported health symptoms." The results revealed that those who have switched jobs within the past year reported higher rates of symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia, than those who did not. This trend was particularly evident among those experiencing their first job change.

Job changers experienced more stress factors, such as the burden of late-night shifts, workplace harassment, and excessive workloads. Such situations may lead to physical discomfort and negatively impact mental health.

The results indicate that job changes can present both opportunities and risks in the current workplace. They highlight the need to visualize the psychosocial stress associated with job changes and reevaluate the support systems currently in place for workplace transitions.

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This study was supported by multiple funding sources that contributed to the design and implementation of the JACSIS 2022 and 2023 surveys. These include: the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grants (grant numbers 21H04856; 20K10467; 20K19633; 20K13721; 23H03160; 22H03225; 23K18370; 23K16245; 22K02116; 23K07492); the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Grant JPMJPF2017; the Health Labor Sciences Research Grants (grant numbers 21HA2016; 22JA1005, 23EA1001, and 23FA1004); the Strategic Research Promotion Grant for 2021-2022 (No. SK202116) of Yokohama City University; the Children and Families Agency Program (Grant Number JPCA24DA1234); the intramural fund of the National Institute for Environmental Studies; and the research program on "Using Health Metrics to Monitor and Evaluate the Impact of Health Policies," conducted at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research.

Original Paper

Title of original paper:

Job Change and Self-reported Symptoms: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study in Japan

Journal:

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

DOI:

10.1097/JOM.0000000000003539

Correspondence

Clinical Lecturer ITO Hiroshi
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital

Related Link

Institute of Medicine