Impacts of being scolded at workplace on psychological distress among Japanese employees: a cross-sectional study

Background: While scolding is an often problematic form of workplace communication in Japan, little research exists regarding its impact on employees' mental health. Objectives: This study investigated the associations between being scolded at work and psychological distress. Methods: Data from the Employee Cohort Study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan (E-COCO-J) surveys obtained in September 2023 (14th wave) were used. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), with a cutoff of 13 points. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by adjusting demographic factors, psychiatric treatment history, and workplace factors. Results: A total of 758 participants were included in the analysis. Among the participants, 159 individuals (21%) reported having been scolded at least one time in the past month, and 116 individuals (15.3%) had a K6 score of 13 or higher. Compared to those who were not scolded, being scolded less than 1 day a week (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–3.11) and about more than 1 day a week (AOR 2.42; 95% CI, 1.23–4.76) showed significant associations with high psychological distress. Conclusion: This study suggested that being scolded has a negative impact on employees' mental health. Further study is needed to investigate effective methods of delivering constructive negative feedback rather than resorting to scolding.