Worries About COVID-19 Infection and Psychological Distress at Work and While Commuting

Uehara, Masamichi; Ishimaru, Tomohiro; Ando, Hajime; Tateishi, Seiichiro; Eguchi, Hisashi; Tsuji, Mayumi; Mori, Koji; Matsuda, Shinya; Fujino, Yoshihisa

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between worry about COVID-19 infection in the workplace and while commuting to work and psychological distress in Japan. METHODS: An internet monitor study was conducted. Out of a total of 33,302 participants, 26,841 people were included. The subjects were asked single-item questions about whether they were worried about COVID-19 infection in general, at work and while commuting to work. K6 was used to assess psychological distress. RESULTS: The OR was significantly higher in association with worry about infection in the workplace at 1.71 (95%CI 1.53 to 1.92) and worry about infection while commuting at 1.49 (95%CI 1.32 to 1.67). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the need for psychological intervention to reduce worry about infection in response to public mental health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.