Original Article
Depressive Tendency among Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities for Older Adults and the Predictive Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: From the Viewpoint of Workplace Social Capital
Keishi Ebisawa, Kazuhiro Uchida and Hiroko Kase
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to clarify the state of depressive tendencies among care workers in long-term care facilities for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the effect of workplace social capital. Methods: In March 2021, when the second state of emergency was declared in metropolitan areas, we conducted an online survey of care workers in long-term care facilities. Participants included 2,658 qualified care workers who provided care services directly to older adults. Results: Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that the increase in workload and tension at work due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant positive effect on depressive tendencies among care workers. It also showed that workplace social capital had a significant negative effect on depressive tendencies. Conclusion: The results indicate that increased workload and tension among care workers due to the pandemic are associated with depressive tendencies. These results suggest that workplace social capital plays an important role in reducing depressive tendencies.
Keywords: COVID-19, certified care worker, long-term care, facility, depressive tendency,
workplace social capital
Japanese Journal of Social Welfare, 62 (5), 15-25 2022