Background: While scolding is an often problematic form of workplace communication in Japan, little research exists regarding its impact on employees' mental health. Objectives: This study investigated the associations between being scolded at work and psychological distress. Methods: Data from the Employee Cohort Study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan (E-COCO-J) surveys obtained in September 2023 (14th wave) were used. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), with a cutoff of 13 points. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by adjusting demographic factors, psychiatric treatment history, and workplace factors. Results: A total of 758 participants were included in the analysis. Among the participants, 159 individuals (21%) reported having been scolded at least one time in the past month, and 116 individuals (15.3%) had a K6 score of 13 or higher. Compared to those who were not scolded, being scolded less than 1 day a week (adjusted odds ratio AOR 1.83; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.07–3.11) and about more than 1 day a week (AOR 2.42; 95% CI, 1.23–4.76) showed significant associations with high psychological distress. Conclusion: This study suggested that being scolded has a negative impact on employees' mental health. Further study is needed to investigate effective methods of delivering constructive negative feedback rather than resorting to scolding.
Mase et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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