Demographic and work-related correlates of general and workplace loneliness among employees in Japan: a large-scale descriptive cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

There has been limited research on demographic and work-related characteristics of general and workplace loneliness. The present descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the demographic and work-related correlates of general and workplace loneliness in a general working population of Japan.

METHODS

We recruited 25 000 persons aged 20 years or older and employed by a company, organization, or government agency. We limited the sample to only employees for this analysis. Demographic and work-related characteristics were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. General and workplace loneliness were measured by single-item questions and dichotomized.

RESULTS

A total of 24 021 respondents were subjected for the analysis. Prevalences of general and workplace loneliness were 9.0% and 8.3%, respectively. Those who responded "others" or refused to answer a gender question (possibly gender minority), were middle-aged, not married, with a low household income, working in the manufacturing sector (compared with some service sectors), and reporting long working hours were associated with both general and workplace loneliness. Middle-aged groups and work hours were significantly associated with workplace loneliness after adjusting for general loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

Common demographic and work-related correlates were found for both general and workplace loneliness. Middle age and working long hours may be factors for workplace loneliness, independent of general loneliness, in Japan.