Impacts of demographic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on job stress in Japanese childcare workers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Matsuda, Yuko^{a; *; 1} | Hamada, Shoko^{b; 2}

Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan | [b] Faculty of Contemporary Culture, Hijiyama University, Hiroshima, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Yuko Matsuda, Laboratory of Advanced Research D, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan. E-mail: [email protected]; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9496-9829.

Note: [1] Present affiliation: Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

Note: [2] ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1377-8492.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Japan has a shortage of childcare personnel, and the high levels of stress causing turnover in childcare workers must be urgently resolved. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the characteristics and influencing factors of job stress in Japanese childcare workers. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to evaluate the job stress of childcare workers and explore the influence of demographic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on such stress. METHODS:The data were collected through an Internet survey from 2,472 respondents. A 23-item version of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire was used to measure occupational stress in childcare workers. The instrument is recommended in the stress-check program implemented as a mental health measure in workplaces in Japan. RESULTS:The percentage of childcare workers with high stress exceeded that of general workers. Multiple regression analyses showed that the only factor affecting all job stressors and social support was the fear of contracting COVID-19. Job stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant large effect on stress responses. Additionally, being married and having children moderated childcare workers’ stress. CONCLUSIONS:This study provided basic data regarding job stress in Japanese childcare workers and compared them with those of other professionals. In the future, it will be necessary to clarify how stress is related to turnover intention and turnover in Japanese childcare workers to promote their career continuity.

Keywords: Childcare, occupational groups, East Asian people, working conditions, occupational stress, demography, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230658

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1451-1464, 2024