Work-life conflict, gender-based discrimination, and their associations among professionals in a medical university and affiliated hospitals in Japan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives : To clarify (1) the prevalence and associating factors of worklife conflict (WLC) ; (2) the details of genderbased discrimination ; and (3) the association between WLC and genderbased discrimination among various professionals in a medical university organization. Methods : This crosssectional study, conducted in 2017, included all employees working at a public medical university and two affiliated hospitals that lie in provincial cities in Japan. The outcome of interest was timebased WLC in the worktofamily or familytowork direction, measured with a shortened version of an existing scale. Genderbased discrimination was measured according to a threepoint scale. Results : Among the 3,347 employees, complete data sets were available for 2,285 (complete response rate, 68.3%). Of these, approximately 30% of respondents had perceived WLC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that faculty members, nurses, and employees between 30 and 39 years old had a greater risk of WLC regardless of gender. Men were more likely to perceive genderbased discrimination in the contents of their work and the number of incidental tasks, while women were more likely to perceive discrimination with promotions and evaluation of academic achievements. Both men and women respondents who perceived genderbased discrimination had an increased risk of WLC. Conclusions : When promoting organizational wellbeing in a medical university, increased attention should be paid to faculty members, nurses and employees between 30 and 39 years old, as they have a greater risk of WLC. Our results also suggest that promoting gender equality is important to help achieve appropriate worklife balance.

Perceived discrimination and mental health in the Japanese general population

“…lifetime, vs. day-to-day discrimination) etc., which can result in large differences in the reported prevalence of discrimination across studies (Alvarez-Galvez & Salvador-Carulla, 2013; Kessler et al, 1999). Nonetheless, our findings when combined with those from previous Japanese studies that focused on gender discrimination (Ono et al, 2020; Yasukawa & Nomura, 2014) suggest that discrimination may be prevalent in Japan.…”

“…lifetime, vs. dayto-day discrimination) etc., which can result in large Kessler et al, 1999). Nonetheless, our findings when combined with those from previous Japanese studies that focused on gender discrimination (Ono et al, 2020;Yasukawa & Nomura, 2014) suggest that discrimination may be prevalent in Japan. Several factors were associated with perceived discrimination.…”

“…For example, a study that used data from 2,492 Japanese physicians that were collected in 2009 to 2011 found that 21% of women and 3% of men had experienced gender-based discrimination in their professional careers (Yasukawa & Nomura, 2014). A later study that analyzed data from 2,285 employees at a public medical university and two affiliated hospitals located in provincial cities in Japan also reported that gender-based discrimination was prevalent (25.1%) but among both women (22.8%) and men (29.8%) (Ono et al, 2020). Importantly, an earlier study that examined 'geographically-based discrimination' (i.e.…”

The relationship between health‐promoting behaviors, menopause syndrome, and sleep quality in Chinese middle‐aged nurses: A cross‐sectional study

“…For example, nurses may be exposed to high risks of work-family conflicts, which were associated with less job control, poor sleep quality, and declined mental health (Zhang, Punnett, & Nannini, 2017). One study reported around 30% of nurses had perceived work-family conflicts (Ono et al, 2020). Thus, further research should consider including evaluations of nurse's perceptions of the interactions between work and family in the background variables.…”