Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form Research Articles

Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is associated with reduced psychosocial stress levels in baby boomers: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet among Korean baby boomers and their levels of psychosocial stress. The study included 1,656 adults (889 men and 797 women) born between 1955 and 1963 who participated in the 2005-2006 survey of the community-based Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). The Mediterranean-type diet score (MTDS) was calculated from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) data. The psychosocial stress levels were calculated using the psychosocial well-being index-short form (PWI-SF). Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between the MTDS (tertiles) and the prevalence of high psychosocial stress by gender. The ranges of the MTDS tertile groups were T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-39 points) for men, T1 (20-33 points), T2 (34-37 points), and T3 (38-48 points) for women. In both men and women, the consumption of whole grains, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish increased with higher MTDS, while the consumption of red meat and dairy products decreased (P for trend < 0.05). As MTDS score increased the intake of energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (P for trend < 0.05). Men in the highest MTDS tertile had a 41% lower odds ratio (OR) of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.91). Similarly, women in the highest tertile of the MTDS had a 39% lower OR of high psychosocial stress compared with those in the lowest tertile (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.95). Promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among baby boomers may have a positive impact on reducing their levels of psychosocial stress.

요가 운동이 폐경 여성의 일상생활 스트레스, 코티졸 및 고감도 C반응성 단백질에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of yoga exercise on psychosocial well-being index-short form; PWI-SF, cortisol and high sensitive-C reactive protein; hs-CRP in menopause women. Twenty-three subjects within menopause periods volunteered to participate in this study and they were randomly designated to yoga exercise group(n=12) and control group(n=11). All data was caculated by SPSS 23.0 and we used paird-t test, independent-t test, two way repeated measures ANOVA to make a results. As a results of this study, PWI-SF showed interaction between yoga group and control group. Also, yoga group had a significant decrease and control group showed significant increase. As well as hs-CRP indicated interaction between yoga group and control group and significant increased in control group. From this point of view, our study suggested that performing regular yoga exercise can relive the daily stress in menopause women and also can give a positive effects on the hs-CRP which related in metabolic disease. However, this study had a little limitation because we couldn`t control their any other physical activities and daily diets. Although we have had limitation, we expected that this yoga exercise could be used in clinical rehabilitation to improve psychological symptoms and positve metabolism in menopause women.

Psychosocial stress accompanied by an unhealthy eating behavior is associated with abdominal obesity in Korean adults: A community-based prospective cohort study.

Psychosocial stress is recognized as a potential modulator of eating behavior. Psychosocial stress also constitutes an independent risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases. This study examined the gender-stratified associations between perceived stress, eating behavior, and abdominal obesity in 4,411 adults aged 40–69 years during a 10-year follow-up of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Psychosocial stress was evaluated using the Psychosocial Wellbeing Index Short Form (PWI-SF), and eating behavior was analyzed with a focus on the dietary variety score (DVS). The Cox's proportional hazard model was used to examine the risk of abdominal obesity according to stress levels. Higher stress levels were associated with lower DVS in women. Lower DVS scores were positively associated with the consumption of grains and refined grains but was negatively associated with the consumption of fruits. The DVS was not significantly associated with stress levels among men. Prospectively, the highest tertile of grains and refined grains consumption showed an increased risk of abdominal obesity compared to the lowest tertile in women (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04–1.78, p < 0.05; HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03–1.59, p < 0.05, respectively). By contrast, in all participants, the highest tertile of fruits consumption decreased the risk of abdominal obesity compared to the lowest tertile (men, HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45–0.70, p < 0.01; women, HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.40–0.65, p < 0.01). Furthermore, high stress levels showed a borderline significant association with the risk of abdominal obesity only in women (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.00–1.59, p < 0.05). These findings suggested that psychosocial stress might contribute to abdominal obesity by interacting with eating behavior represented by a low DVS. The approach to consume a diet with a high DVS might help decrease the risk of abdominal obesity among people in stressful environments.

Stress-Related Amygdala Metabolic Activity Is Associated With Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot 18F-FDG PET/CT Study.

BackgroundPsychological stress is associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, the underlying mechanism of stress-related brain neural activity with osteoporosis is not fully elucidated. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is an established method to evaluate the metabolic activity of brain amygdala, a region involved in stress. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between metabolic activity of amygdala (AmygA) and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Materials and MethodsA total of 115 postmenopausal women who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for routine health screening were enrolled in this study. AmygA was defined as the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of amygdala divided by the mean SUV of temporal lobe. The levels of psychological stress were measured using the Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF).ResultsThe participants with osteoporosis exhibited significantly higher AmygA than without osteoporosis (0.81 ± 0.16 vs. 0.61 ± 0.13, p < 0.001). The AmygA value of 0.69 was suggested as an optimal cut-off value to identify participant with osteoporosis (sensitivity; 79.1%, specificity; 83.3%, area under the curve; 0.841, p < 0.001). Furthermore, AmygA showed significant association with osteoporosis in postmenopausal woman by multivariate analysis. Psychological stress scale (PWI-SF) was well correlated with AmygA and AmygA was highest in high stress risk-, intermediate in moderate stress risk-, and lowest in healthy group.ConclusionsAmygA measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT is associated with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Our results provide the possibility that stress-related neurobiological activity involving amygdala is linked with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Influence of Forest Visitors' Perceived Restorativeness on Social-Psychological Stress.

This study was conducted to verify the perceived restorativeness of citizens visiting forests on social–psychological stress and psychological resilience according to forest space type. The study involved a questionnaire survey conducted on citizens who visited forests between 1 May and 15 July 2020, when social distancing in daily life was being implemented. Three types of forest spaces (urban forest, national park, and natural recreation forest) were selected for the survey. They used the survey results of 1196 people as analysis data for this study. In this study, the PRS (Perceived Restorativeness Scale) and the PWI-SF (Psychosocial Well-being Index Short Form) were used to evaluate perceived restorativeness and social–psychological stress of citizens visiting forests. In the study, the average score of visitors’ perceived restorativeness was 5.31 ± 0.77. Social–psychological stress was found in the healthy group, potential stress group, and high-risk group. These groups made up 8.0%, 82.5%, and 9.5% of the respondents, respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis between perceived restorativeness and social–psychological stress revealed that the higher the perceived restorativeness, the lower the social–psychological stress. “Diversion Mood”, “Not bored”, and “Coherence”, which are the sub-factors of perceived restorativeness according to the forest space type, were found to have meaningful results for psychological resilience. However, there was no significant difference in the forest space type between “Compatibility” and social–psychological stress, which are sub-factors of perceived restorativeness. In conclusion, the forest space type affects the psychological resilience of those who visit the forest. Urban forests, national parks, and natural recreation forests are places to reduce stress.

Effect of Psychosocial Distress on the Rate of Kidney Function Decline.

Chronic kidney disease is a growing global health problem. Psychosocial stress has been found to induce changes in biological processes and behavioral patterns that increase risks of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the association between psychosocial stress and kidney function is not well understood. To evaluate the association between psychosocial stress and kidney function decline. In this prospective cohort study, psychosocial distress was assessed using the psychosocial well-being index short-form (PWI-SF). Data of a total of 7246 participants were retrieved from a community-based cohort (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study). The rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline was calculated for each individual. Rapid eGFR decline was defined as a decrease of ≥ 3 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. The presence of kidney disease was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline or proteinuria of higher than trace levels from two consecutive urine test results. A total of 7246 participants were analyzed. The mean eGFR was 92.1 ± 14.0 mL/min/1.73 m2. Rapid eGFR decline was observed in 941 (13.0%) participants during a median follow-up of 11.7 years. When the participants were categorized into tertiles according to PWI-SF score, rapid eGFR decline was more prevalent in the group with the highest PWI-SF score (15.8%) than in the group with the lowest score (12.2%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of rapid eGFR decline was significantly increased in the tertile group with the highest PWI-SF score compared to the lowest group (odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.59). This association was maintained even after adjusting for confounding variables and excluding participants with kidney disease. Higher levels of psychosocial distress were closely associated with an increased risk of rapid kidney function decline.

Correlation of physical fitness with psychological well-being, stress, and depression in Korean adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical fitness and psychological well-being, stress, and depression in Korean adults. Participants were 160 adults aged 40–70 years living in the metropolitan area of Incheon. Results were collected from random sample of main measurements from Incheon fitness center of National Fitness Award Project (2019). We assessed participants using physical fitness test (national fitness award), Psychosocial well-being index short form, Perceived Stress Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale. The data were analyzed Pearson and Spearman rank correlation analysis, and linear was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 25.0. The re-sults indicated there were statistically significant associations between psychological well-being and agility, quick response; stress and flexibil-ity; depression and strength endurance strength, body fat. In addition, analysis showed that strength, endurance strength, body fat of physical fitness factors could significantly predict depression, flexibility could significantly predict stress, agility and quick response could significant-ly predict psychological well-being.

The Quality of Life, Psychological Health, and Occupational Calling of Korean Workers: Differences by the New Classes of Occupation Emerging Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study aimed to create new classifications for occupations that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea, based on Reich’s classifications for the United States. We examined Korean workers’ occupational calling, psychological health, and quality of life. An online questionnaire was administered and data from 1029 Korean workers were analyzed. The questionnaire comprised the Korean version of the Multidimensional Calling Measure to assess occupational calling, the Psychosocial Well-being Index-short form for psychological health, and the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure (CASP-19) scale for quality of life. We created a Korean-adapted version of the classes of occupation based on those created by the COVID-19 situation in the USA. Our results showed that Korean workers had a high perceived calling to work, and different classes showed different levels of quality of life and psychological health. We need a health concentration management system for essential groups or personal safety protection equipment should be provided. Education on infection control should be offered and effective medical system processes should be in place. We need to develop technology to respond to medical needs online, remotely, or telephonically. The government should implement policies to ensure job security and to improve wages and welfare.

P0682PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AS A RISK FACTOR FOR RENAL FUNCTION DECLINE

Abstract Background and Aims Accumulating evidences propose that psychological stress leads to changes in biological processes or behavioral patterns that effects disease risks. Supporting this possibility, recent animal experiments and population studies show a probable link between psychological stress and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the association between psychological stress and kidney function is not well elucidated yet. Method Data were retrieved from a prospective community-based cohort study (Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study). Psychological distress was assessed as the primary exposure using PWI-SF (psychosocial well-being index short form) scores. The decline rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time was calculated using linear regression analysis of serial eGFR measurements for each subject. Rapid eGFR decline was defined as an average decline in eGFR ≥3 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year. Results In total, 6,968 participants were analyzed. During a median follow-up of 10.49 years, rapid eGFR decline was observed in 886 (12.7%) participants. When the participants were categorized into tertiles according to PWI-SF score, rapid eGFR decline was more prevalent in the highest PWI-SF score group (14.0%) compared to the lowest PWI-SF score group (11.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the risk of rapid eGFR decline was significantly increased in the highest PWI-SF score group compared to the lowest group (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval 1.27-3.27). When PWI-SF score was treated as a continuous variable, each 1 standard deviation increase in PWI-SF was associated with a 12% increased risk of rapid eGFR decline. Conclusion The amount of psychological stress was significantly associated with an increased risk of rapid renal function decline in participants with normal renal function.

0775 Effects of Stress, Sleep and Depression on Resilience of Female Nurses Working in Shift and Fixed Work Schedules in General Hospital

Abstract Introduction Healthy sleep is important and can have a positive effect on resilience. The aim of the present study was to compare the differences in resilience between two group nurses in rotating shift and daytime fixed work schedules and to investigate stress perception, coping factors, social and psychological health, and sleep factors that may affect resilience. Methods A total of 400 female nurses having rotating shift and daytime fixed work schedules at two hospital were surveyed from June 12, 2017 to June 12, 2018. Perceived stress scale(PSS), stress coping short form(Brief COPE), psycho-social wellbeing Index short form(PWI-SF) or general health questionnaire-18(GHQ-18), center for epidemiologic studies depression scale(CES-D), STAI-X-1 in state-trait anxiety inventory(STAI), Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale(ESS), insomnia severity index(ISI), Conner Davidson resilience scale(CD-RISC) applied. Independent t-test, paired t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were applied to the results of the final 373 questionnaires of 400 nurses in two general hospitals. Results As a result of comparing the variable statistics between the two groups of rotating shift and daytime fixed work nurses, there were statistically significant differences in all variables except perceived stress, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. Factors that had a significant correlation with resilience were stress coping strategies, depression, and insomnia severity(p&amp;lt;0.001). In multiple regression analysis, the larger positive reframing1(β=0.206, p&amp;lt;0.001), the less depression (β= -3.45, p&amp;lt;0.001), and the higher psychosocial health level(β=0.193, p &amp;lt;0.001). As acceptance coping2 increases(β=0.129, p&amp;lt;0.05), as daytime sleepiness decreases(β=-1.17, p&amp;lt;0.05), and as active coping2 increases(β=0.118, p&amp;lt;0.05), as the positive reframing2 increases(β=0.110, p&amp;lt;0.05), the resilience increased. Conclusion In this study, it was found that resilience was higher in daytime fixed workers than in shift workers. In addition, specific stress coping strategies and sleep, depression, and anxiety factors were found to be associated with resilience. Support Key words: Shift work · Female nurse · Resilience · Sleep · Stress · Depression

Factors Associated to Returning Home in the First Year after Stroke.

The objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting the return home one year after a stroke. The subjects of this study consisted of patients who participated in a large-scale multi-objective cohort study of initial stage stroke patients who were admitted to 9 representative hospitals in Korea. We analyzed the distribution of the subjects who had experienced stroke a year earlier by distinguishing the group who returned home and the other group that was hospitalized in rehabilitation hospitals. Based on this distribution, we evaluated the demographic, environmental, clinical, and psychological factors that can affect the return home. Overall, there were 464 subjects in the 'Return home' group and 99 subjects in the 'Rehabilitation hospitalization' group. job status, inconvenient housing structures, residential types, diagnosis, Functional Ambulation Categories, modified Rankin Scale, Korea-Modified Barthel Index, Function Independence Measure, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination, Korean version of Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, EuroQol-five Dimensional showed a significant difference between the 2 groups one year after the stroke. The factors affecting the return home one year after a stroke include functional status, activities of daily living, cognition, depression, stress, quality of life, job status. It is expected that factors affecting the rehabilitation of patients with stroke can be considered as basic data for establishing rehabilitation goals and treatment plans.

Factors influencing return to work after stroke: the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the rate of return to work and identify key factors associated with return to work between 3 months and 2 years after stroke.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe Korean Stroke Cohort...

Factors that determine the Work Ability Index of street cleaners.

Background Korea has shown a rapid pace of aging and has become an aged society in a shorter period than Western countries. Therefore, it is important that middle-aged workers maintain their ability to work in the industrial field at the maximum level while maintaining their health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work ability and to use this data to maintain the working ability of middle-aged workers in the future.Methods From 2015 to 2017, we surveyed 371 street cleaners who visited a health center for health promotion in a metropolitan city. The relationship between the general characteristics of the survey subjects and the Work Ability Index (WAI) was confirmed by a univariate analysis. Statistically significant (p<0.2) factors were selected and a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with WAI scores as a dependent variable.Results Age, body mass index, body fat percentage, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) scores, the Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) scores, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and hypertension showed statistically significant correlations with the WAI in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the VO2max, AUDIT-K scores, and PWI-SF scores were included in the regression equation. VO2max had the greatest effect on the standardization coefficient indicating the relative contribution of independent variables, followed by the AUDIT-K scores and the PWI-SF scores.Conclusion Programs to increase workers’ physical work ability and alleviate psychosocial stress and drinking habits should be developed and implemented in the future.

Difference in health status of Korean farmers according to gender

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to compare differences in lifestyle diseases, musculoskeletal pain, psychosocial stress, and self-health awareness according to gender in Korean farmers.MethodsThe study population comprised 436 farmers residing in rural areas in Korea. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and musculoskeletal pain. The psychosocial well-being index short form (PWI-SF) was used to survey psychosocial stress, and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) was used to survey self-health awareness. In addition, a clinical examination was performed for each participant, and lifestyle diseases were identified through a health checkup.ResultsAmong lifestyle diseases, females showed a significantly higher proportion than males for metabolic syndrome (OR: 4.57 [95% CI, 1.67–12.51]). For musculoskeletal pain, females again showed significantly higher proportion than males for hand pain (OR: 16.79 [95% CI, 3.09–91.30]), and pain in at least one body part (OR: 2.34 [95% CI, 1.16–4.70]). For psychosocial stress, females showed a significantly higher proportion than males for high-risk stress (OR: 3.10 [95% CI, 1.17–8.24]). Among the items in self-health awareness, females showed significantly higher proportion than males for mental component score (MCS) (OR: 3.10 [95% CI, 1.52–6.31]) and total score (OR: 2.34 [95% CI, 1.11–4.90]).ConclusionsFor all items that showed significant differences, females showed higher proportion than males, which indicates that female farmers tended to have poorer overall health than male farmers. Therefore, specialized programs will have to be developed to improve the health of female farmers.

Korean translation and validation of the Workplace Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA)-Profiler.

BackgroundNo tool is available for the multidimensional measurement of workplace well-being among Korean workers. In this study, the Workplace Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA)-Profiler, a multidimensional workplace well-being measure, was translated into Korean, and its validity and reliability were assessed.MethodsThe Workplace PERMA-Profiler, including the positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment domains, was translated according to international guidelines. The questionnaires included the Workplace PERMA-Profiler, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, and Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form. A total of 316 Korean workers completed a web-based survey with adequate response. Cronbach's alpha values were calculated to assess scale reliability, and correlational and confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess validity.ResultsCronbach's alpha values for the Korean Workplace PERMA-Profiler ranged from 0.70 to 0.95. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the 5-factor model had a marginally acceptable fit [χ2(80) = 383.04, comparative fit index = 0.909, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.881, root mean square error of approximation = 0.110, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.054]. The 5-factor PERMA domains were correlated positively with work engagement and mental well-being in life, and negatively with burnout, occupational stressors, and stress responses. These results showed that the Workplace PERMA-Profiler has good convergent and divergent validity.ConclusionsThe Korean version of the Workplace PERMA-Profiler had good reliability and validity. It might be used as an indicator or evaluation tool for positive mental health interventions in the workplace.

The association between inflammatory markers and general psychological distress symptoms.

This study explored the association between low-grade inflammation measured using multiple common inflammatory markers and general psychological distress symptoms. A total of 68,463 Korean adults were included. White blood cell counts with differential count, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and rheumatoid factor were measured. General psychological distress symptoms were assessed using 18 questions of psychosocial well-being index short form (PWI-SF). Among the eight inflammatory markers measured, WBC count, segmented neutrophil count, monocyte and CRP level were significantly and independently associated with broad psychological symptoms. In contrast, fibrinogen and ferritin showed a weak association with limited number of items. No significant association was detected with lymphocyte and RF. General psychological distress symptoms were associated with multiple inflammatory markers in Korean adults. The association patterns differed by the types of inflammatory markers. Additional investigation into the relationship between general inflammatory markers and diverse psychological distress symptoms is warranted.

Psychosocial Health of Disease-Free Breast Cancer Survivors Compared with Matched Non-cancer Controls.

PurposeThe present study investigated the psychosocial health of disease-free breast cancer survivors who receive health examinations compared to matched non-cancer controls in a community setting.Materials and MethodsWe used baseline data from the Health Examinee cohort, which is composed of subjects participating in health. The disease-free breast cancer survivors were defined as those who were ≥ 2 years from initial diagnosis of breast cancer who had completed treatment. Females without a history of cancer were randomly selected at 1:4 ratio by 5-year age groups, education, and household income as a comparison group. We analyzed results from the Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) as a psychosocial health measurement.ResultsA total of 347 survivors of breast cancer and 1,388 matched controls were included. Total scores on the PWI-SF were lower in breast cancer survivors than matched non-cancer controls (p=0.006), suggesting a lower level of psychosocial stress in breast cancer survivors. In comparison to the control group, prevalence of drinking, smoking and obesity were lower, while exercising for ≥ 150 min/wk was higher in breast cancer survivors (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that breast cancer survivors have better health behaviors than their noncancer controls. After adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, breast cancer survivors were 36% less likely to be included in the stress group (odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 0.98).ConclusionThe disease-free breast cancer survivors resuming daily life demonstrated better psychosocial health status compared to matched non-cancer controls.

Factors increasing the risk for psychosocial stress among Korean adults living in rural areas: using generalized estimating equations and mixed models

BackgroundThis study was conducted to analyze the distribution of the psychosocial well-being index among adults living in two rural communities in Korea and to examine its correlation with lifestyle variables such as sleep duration, regular exercise, and sedentary time.MethodsUsing the cohort data of the Atherosclerosis Risk of a Rural Area Korean General Population, this study examined 3631 participants living in Wonju and Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province; their preliminary data were established from 2005 to 2007 while their follow-up data were collected 3 years later. This study investigated demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, disease history, Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) scores, sleep duration, regular exercise, and sedentary time during work. Using repeated measures ANOVA, this study examined how the variables and PWI-SF scores changed over the course of 3 years and identified the correlation between them based on mixed model analysis. Afterwards, using the generalized estimation equation, this study identified each variable’s risk towards the PWI-SF high-risk group and performed a stratified analysis by occupation after dividing the participants into farmers and non-farmers.ResultsThe PWI-SF high-risk group was found to be 18.9% of the participants from preliminary data and 15.5% from follow-up data. The odds ratio towards the PWI-SF high-risk group was 1.503 (95% CI 1.241–1.821) in the short sleep duration group and 1.327 (95% CI 1.136–1.550) in the non-regular exercise group. A stratified analysis by occupation showed that middle and long sedentary time in the white-collar group increased the risk toward the PWI-SF high-risk group.ConclusionsShort sleep duration, no regular exercise, and long sedentary time in the white-collar group were identified as risk factors toward the PWI-SF high-risk group in the rural communities, and policy interventions are needed to address this issue.

A follow-up study of the association between mobile phone use and symptoms of ill health.

The duration and frequency of mobile phone calls, and their relationship with various health effects, have been investigated in our previous cross-sectional study. This 2-year period follow-up study aimed to assess the changes in these variables of same subjects. The study population comprised 532 non-patient adult subjects sampled from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. The subjects underwent a medical examination at a hospital in 2012/2013 and revisited the same hospital in 2014/2015 to have the same examination for the characteristics of mobile phone use performed. In addition, to evaluate the effects on health, the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, Beck Depression Inventory, Korean-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 12-item Short Form Health Survey were analyzed. For all these tests, the higher the score, the greater the effect on health. Variances between scores in all the indices in the baseline and follow-up surveys were calculated, and correlations of each index were analyzed. The average duration per call and HIT-6 score of the subjects decreased significantly compared with those recorded two years ago. The results showed a slight but significant correlation between call duration changes and HIT-6 score changes for female subjects, but not for males. HIT-6 scores in the follow-up survey significantly decreased compared to those in the baseline survey, but long-time call users (subjects whose call duration was ≥5 minutes in both the baseline and follow-up surveys) had no statistically significant reduction in HIT-6 scores. This study suggests that increased call duration is a greater risk factor for increases in headache than any other type of adverse health effect, and that this effect can be chronic.

A cross-sectional study of the association between mobile phone use and symptoms of ill health.

ObjectivesThis study analyzed the associations between mobile phone call frequency and duration with non-specific symptoms.MethodsThis study was conducted with a population group including 532 non-patient adults established by the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. The pattern of phone call using a mobile phone was investigated through face-to-face interview. Structured methods applied to quantitatively assess health effects are Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form, Beck Depression Inventory, Korean-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 12-item Short Form Health Survey where a higher score represents a higher greater health effect.ResultsThe average daily phone call frequency showed a significant correlation with the PSS score in female subjects. Increases in the average duration of one phone call were significantly correlated with increases in the severity of headaches in both sexes. The mean (standard deviation) HIT-6 score in the subgroup of subjects whose average duration of one phone call was five minutes or longer was 45.98 (8.15), as compared with 42.48 (7.20) in those whose average duration of one phone call was <5 minutes. The severity of headaches was divided into three levels according to the HIT-6 score (little or no impact/moderate impact/substantial or severe impact), and a logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between an increased phone call duration and the headache severity. When the average duration of one phone call was five minutes or longer, the odds ratio (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the moderate impact group were 2.22 and 1.18 to 4.19, respectively. The OR and 95% CI for the substantial or severe impact group were 4.44 and 2.11 to 8.90, respectively.ConclusionsMobile phone call duration was not significantly associated with stress, sleep, cognitive function, or depression, but was associated with the severity of headaches.