Psycho-social factors and the technologies of work

Overtime, psychosocial working conditions, and occurrence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Japanese men

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain the effects of overtime and psychosocial job conditions on the occurrence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Japan.

DESIGN

An eight year prospective cohort study.

SETTING

An electrical company in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

In 1984, a mailed questionnaire was sent to industrial workers of an electrical company in Japan. After excluding those who had a history of diabetes mellitus or other chronic diseases, 2597 male respondents were prospectively followed up for the succeeding eight years. Data from 2194 (84%) who were completely followed up were analysed. The occurrence of NIDDM during the follow up period was assessed according to the WHO criteria on the basis of an annual screening programme.

MAIN RESULTS

The age adjusted incidence of NIDDM was significantly higher in those who worked overtime more than 50 hours per month than in those who worked 25 hours or less per month (p < 0.05). It was significantly higher in those who worked with new technology at baseline than in those who did not (p < 0.05). Cox's proportional hazard model indicated that those who worked overtime more than 50 hours per month had 3.7 times higher risk of NIDDM after controlling for known risk factors (p < 0.01) and those who worked with new technology had 2.4 times higher risk of NIDDM (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that longer overtime and use of new technology are risk factors of NIDDM in Japanese men.

Users' responses to assistive devices for physical disability

A mailed survey of scientists and engineers with disabilities was conducted to investigate how assistive devices for disability utilized in various social settings were perceived by persons with disabilities who also maintained valuable occupational positions. The respondents (N = 595) reported assistive-device utilization in social settings and user attitudes toward using assistive mechanical aids. The minority-group conceptual framework guided analysis of assistive technology as a symbol of disability. Variations in device use within public and private settings and differences in attitudes according to demographic and disability characteristics also are described. Findings show general user satisfaction with devices. Utilization varies among social settings and also varies by disability type, especially between persons with sensory impairment and those with nonsensory impairment. Public responses were not perceived to be problematic, although users do indicate that the actual application of devices may be unsatisfactory. Users' suggestions for further research chiefly propose examination of the systems that develop and distribute assistive devices. Results encourage examination of socioeconomic arrangements that reinforce the minority position of people with disabilities by restricting access to aids perceived as beneficial to social roles.