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

Objectives: Research was limited on demographic and work-related characteristic of general and workplace loneliness. The present descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to know 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 old 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 a gender question (possibly gender minority), middle-aged, being not married, low household income, manufacturing sector (compared to some service sectors), and 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 a factor for workplace loneliness, independent of general loneliness, in Japan.