Development Of A Theoretical Model And Questionnaire Regarding Workers’ Mental Fitness

Mental fitness (MF) has not been scientifically investigated as extensively as physical fitness. To further the study of MF in occupational health, we initially defined a worker’s MF as follows: subjective mental energy against daily work that activates worker’s body and nerves. PURPOSE: To develop a theoretical model for worker’s MF and create an occupational MF questionnaire (OMFQ) based on the model, and to investigate associations between the OMFQ score and other indicators in occupational health, such as physical fitness, work-engagement, resilience, presenteeism, and depression. METHODS: First, an interview survey (90-min per participant) was conducted with 50 Japanese workers (25-65 years, 48% female). The data was analyzed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M-GTA) to develop the MF theory. Subsequently, the OMFQ (score range, -60 to 272) was created, referring to the theory. Next, another 85 Japanese workers (30-60 years, 49% female) completed the OMFQ, treadmill VO2max test (as physical fitness), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Resilience Scale, WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (as presenteeism), and CES-D and K6 questionnaires (both as depression). RESULTS: The M-GTA suggested that the MF theory comprises two primary (offensive and defensive) factors. The offensive factor consists of ten concepts, including “awareness of one’s aptitude for the right job,” “contribution to society,” and “career advancement,” among others. The defensive factor consists of seven concepts, including “comparison with others” and “livelihood,” among others. Significant correlations with offensive factor of the OMFQ were observed in VO2max (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), work-engagement (r = 0.62, P < 0.01), resilience (r = 0.36, P < 0.01), and presenteeism (r = 0.28, P < 0.05). Those with defensive factor were observed in VO2max (r = 0.25, P < 0.05), work-engagement (r = 0.38, P < 0.01), resilience (r = 0.56, P < 0.01), presenteeism (r = 0.26, P < 0.05), and depression (CES-D, r = -0.25, P < 0.05; K6, r = -0.28, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The OMFQ, based on the MF theory comprised of two primary, offensive and defensive, factors, showed significant and reasonable correlations with various health indicators among workers, which makes it a valuable tool for future epidemiological studies in occupational health. Funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan (N-P02-02)