# The association of workplace psychosocial factors on premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A six‐month prospective study on Japanese female workers

## TL;DR

This study found that workplace factors like job control and stability are linked to the development of PMDD symptoms in Japanese female workers, especially those with high psychological distress.

## Contribution

The study identifies job stability as a protective factor and job control as a risk factor for PMDD symptoms among workers with high psychological distress.

## Key findings

- High job control was associated with increased PMDD symptoms in all participants and those with high psychological distress.
- Job stability reduced the risk of PMDD symptoms among participants with high psychological distress.
- No significant associations were found among participants with low psychological distress.

## Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal associations between psychosocial factors in the workplace and the emergence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptoms among Japanese female workers, with a particular focus on psychological distress as a potential moderator.

We conducted a 6‐month follow‐up of 2000 full‐time Japanese female workers aged 20–39 without PMDD symptoms at baseline. PMDD symptoms were assessed at follow‐up using a validated PMDD scale. Psychosocial factors in the workplace (job demands, job control, supervisor and coworker support, and workplace rewards) were measured at baseline using the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6 psychological distress scale (K6), and participants were stratified by K6 scores (K6 < 5 and K6 ≥ 5). Logistic regression analyses were performed.

Of the eligible participants, 1064 completed both surveys (response rate: 61.6%). In the adjusted models, high job control was associated with the emergence of PMDD symptoms among all participants (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, p = 0.025) and those with high psychological distress (OR = 1.37, p = 0.011). Job stability was negatively associated with the emergence of PMDD symptoms among participants with high psychological distress (OR = 0.48, p = 0.010). No significant associations were found among those with low psychological distress.

Job stability was a protective factor for the emergence of PMDD symptoms among female workers with high psychological distress, while job control may act as an enhancing factor in the overall sample and among those with high psychological distress. Ensuring job stability might be a measure to prevent PMDD symptoms, especially for female workers with high psychological distress.