Changes of subjective stress and stress-related symptoms after a merger announcement: a longitudinal study in a merger-planning company in Japan

Ind Health. 2008 Apr;46(2):183-7. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.46.183.

Abstract

To investigate the influences of a merger on employees in a Japanese company, changes of subjective stress and stress-related symptoms after a merger announcement in a major Japanese financial company were explored using longitudinal study surveys. Seventy-one participants responded to the first and second questionnaires, consisting of stress and symptoms, personal characteristics, lifestyle, medical examination, and work-related factors. After the merger announcement, the prevalence of subjective stress, anxiety, and impatience increased significantly from 46.5% to 78.9%, 18.3% to 40.8%, and 15.9% to 29.0%, respectively. The study suggests that subjective stress and stress-related symptoms may increase after a merger announcement. To reduce the negative impact of mergers, employers are expected to provide mental health-promotion programs in a merger-planning company.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Employment / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Industry
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture
  • Organizational Innovation*
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tokyo