ITO SAKURAKO, TSUDA AKIRA, YAMAMOTO HARUYOSHI, ISHIKAWA RIE
Kurume University psychological research, (4) 89-102, 2005 Peer-reviewedLead author
Aim: This study investigated the health-related lifestyle and mental health status of users of the mental health center which aims to promote workers' and their family's mental health. This study also examined the relationship between mental health status and health-related lifestyle factors of the users. Hypothesis: The mental health status of many users of the mental health center is poor and stressed, and the lifestyle factors are related to the mental health status. Methods: The data used were obtained from 2,361 (men 830, women 1,531) users of Yokohama Rosai Hospital Mental Health Center for Workers (YMHC) through a questionnaire survey conducted upon the enrollment as a member of the YMHC. The survey included the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a questionnaire concerning 12 health-related lifestyle items. GHQ-12 was used as an indicator of mental health. The cut-off point was set at 2/3 that 3 points or higher was concerned as "poor mental health" and 2 points and lower as "good mental health". Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between health-related lifestyle factors and poor mental health. Results: Many subjects had generally concerned "healthy" lifestyle such as having well-regulated life, eating regularly, concerning nutritional balance, and sleeping 6-8 hours. The 65.2% of the subjects were considered to be in poor mental health and stressed. However, the mode value of GHQ-12 score distribution was at 0 (14.8%) , and that people with good mental health were also using YMHC was indicated. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratio for having poor mental health was significantly higher among those who have no hobby, exercise less than twice a month, have irregular life, and do not have breakfast everyday. In other words, it was suggested that these lifestyle factors increase the risk of poor mental health. The odds ratio for having poor mental health was significantly lower among those who have someone to go to for advice. Conclusions: Having lifestyle such as having hobby, exercising more than once a week, having wellregulated life, eating breakfast regularly, and having someone to go to for advice might contribute to promote mental health. It is suggested that providing support for developing these lifestyle may promote mental health.