The effect of job strain and worksite social support on reported adverse reactions of COVID-19 vaccine: A prospective study of employees in Japan

Abstract

Objectives This prospective study aimed to examine the association of psychosocial working conditions with adverse reactions after receiving COVID‐19 vaccination in a sample of employees in Japan. Methods The data were retrieved from an online panel of full‐time employees (E‐COCO‐J). The analysis included participants who were employed and were not vaccinated at baseline (June 2021) but received vaccination at a 4‐month follow‐up (October 2021). An 11‐item scale measured the adverse reactions. Four types of psychosocial working conditions (i.e., job demands, job control, and supervisor and coworker support) were measured using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the psychosocial working conditions and adverse reactions of COVID‐19 vaccines, adjusting for socioeconomic variables, chronic disease, the number of vaccination, type of vaccine, anxiety for adverse reactions, fear and worry about COVID‐19, and psychological distress at baseline. Results Overall, 747 employees were included in the analysis. The average number of adverse reactions was 3.8 (standard deviation = 2.2): Arm pain (81.1%), fatigues (64.1%), muscle pains (63.3%), and fever (37.5°C+) (53.5%) were reported more frequently. Coworker support score was significantly and negatively associated with the numbers of adverse reactions (standardized β = −0.100, P = .023). Women, young age, second‐time vaccination, Moderna, and high psychological distress were significantly associated with adverse reactions. Conclusions Employees with low coworker support may be more likely to have adverse reactions after vaccinations. The findings of this study could support that increasing workplace support may reduce adverse reactions.

Effect of anxiety and depression on self-reported adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

“…A study also reported that COVID-19 vaccine associated anxiety increased reported adverse reactions to vaccination in patients with chronic liver disease [55]. Similarly, a Japanese study suggested that psychological distress was positively associated with adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination [56]. Vaccine enters the body and immediately activate the immune system, and inflammatory cytokines are released from macrophages due to early innate immune response [28].…”

Challenges in acquiring support for employee treatment and work balance in small- and medium-sized enterprises in Japan during COVID-19

“…Another possibility is that the burden of commuting and working full-time can be reduced. Although scholars pointed out many advantages of teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic 31) , certain disadvantages were also observed, such as increased stress due to mismatch between telecommuting preference and frequency 29) , reduced social support 32) , and increased alcohol consumption 33) . Therefore, taking advantage of the benefits of teleworking is necessary to support the balance between treatment and work, while also identifying any difficulties with new work arrangements, gaining opportunities for communication, and ensuring that regular lifestyle habits are not hindered.…”