[Contrivances for group analysis using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and its utilization: A systematic review]

This study reviewed and organized practical cases of group analysis and the contrivances involved on the basis of Stress Check results using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ).

We conducted a systematic literature review, searching the Japan Medical Abstracts Society database on August 7, 2023 and PubMed on September 28, 2023. The eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) studies targeting workers, (2) studies using the BJSQ or the new BJSQ, (3) studies conducting group analysis, (4) studies reporting contrivances beyond the standard methods described in the Stress Check Program manual regarding group analysis or its application, and (5) studies written in Japanese or English. Two researchers selected and summarized the cases.

We searched The Japan Medical Abstracts Society database and PubMed, identifying 204 and 94 articles, respectively. We included 30 cases involving contrivances. Although the Stress Check guidelines recommend using items related to quantitative job overload, job control, and worksite (supervisor and coworker) support for group analysis, some cases employed contrivances such as analyzing all items of the BJSQ or the new BJSQ to obtain a more detailed understanding of the work environment. In cases where measures other than the BJSQ or the new BJSQ were used in combination, the relationship between labor productivity and each item of the BJSQ or the new BJSQ items was examined to prioritize workplace environment improvements. Contrivances regarding feedback from the group analysis were identified. Support staff conducted interviews with managers to provide feedback on the group analysis, and helped them interpret the results in relation to actual workplace situations. Contrivances for devising action plans to improve workplace environments were also identified. In these cases, good practices were accumulated to facilitate efficient discussion of workplace environment improvements.

We identified the following four types of contrivances: contrivances for the items of the BJSQ and new BJSQ used for group analysis, contrivances for using other scales in addition to the BJSQ and new BJSQ, contrivances for combining interviews with feedback on the results, and contrivances for accumulating good practices in the workplace, in addition to existing action checklists. This study presents practical examples of group analysis and its application, providing helpful information for future group analysis and improving work environment activities. However, most of the examples included were limited to reports on the content of practices, with very few examples mentioning the effects of contrivances.