Open AccessThe Effects of Pre‐Entry Career Maturity and Support Networks in Workplace on Newcomers' Mental Health
Author(s) -
Kawai Kaoru,
Yamazaki Yoshihiko
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.48.451
Subject(s) - maturity (psychological) , friendship , mental health , psychology , social support , social psychology , work (physics) , developmental psychology , psychiatry , engineering , mechanical engineering
The Effects of Pre‐Entry Career Maturity and Support Networks in Workplace on Newcomers' Mental Health: Kaoru K awai , et al . Department of Health Sociology, School of Health Science and Nursing, The University of Tokyo —The present study examined the effects of pre‐entry experiences (i.e. career maturity), as well as support networks (i.e. informational and friendship), on newcomers' mental health (i.e. depression, self‐esteem, psychosomatic symptoms, and work motivation). We performed a longitudinal study of 890 men and women who first entered the workplace in 2003. Surveys were distributed at two time points: just prior to entering the workplace, and two months after entering. Results indicated that career maturity related positively to newcomers' mental health, and newcomers with high career maturity were more successful in establishing positive relationships with superiors and co‐workers. Although, informational support networks positively related to work motivation, friendship networks did not show any direct effects on mental health. These results underscore the crucial roles of career maturity and informational networks in facilitating the transition to the workplace. The results also provide empirical support for an expanded view of the importance of pre‐entry experiences to workplace newcomers' mental health.