According to a recent study, individuals who work long hours are at higher risk of depression. The study involved over 11,000 workers across six countries and shows that the risk of depression increases as work hours extend beyond eight hours per day.

While it’s not surprising that work-related factors can impact mental health, this study emphasizes the importance of establishing healthy work-life balance and reducing workloads for workers’ well-being.

Study overview

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and examined the work and mental health of over 11,000 workers in Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The researchers analyzed the participants’ work schedules and duration of work in relation to their depression scores, using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a survey tool that assesses symptoms of depression.

Findings of the study

The study found that participants who worked more than eight hours a day were at a higher risk of depression than those who worked fewer hours.

The risk of depression increased with the number of hours worked per day, with participants who worked 12 hours or more a day being at the highest risk of depression. The researchers also found that participants who worked irregular or rotating shifts were at a higher risk of depression, compared to those who worked regular daytime hours.

Possible reasons for the link between long work hours and depression

The researchers suggest several explanations for why long work hours may increase the risk of depression. One possibility is that working long hours can lead to chronic stress, which can impact mental health.

Additionally, long work hours can lead to less time for self-care activities, such as exercise, socializing, and sleep, which are all important for mental health. Furthermore, working long hours can lead to work-family conflict, which can cause psychological distress and increase the risk of depression.

Implications of the study

The findings have important implications for both employers and employees. Employers should be mindful of their employees’ workloads and work hours and aim to provide work environments that promote healthy work-life balance.

For example, employers can offer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or job-sharing options, to allow workers to balance their work and personal lives. Employers can also provide resources to enable workers to manage their stress and mental health, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Employees should also take responsibility for their mental health and strive to establish healthy work-life balance.

This may involve setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, learning effective stress management techniques, and seeking professional help when needed.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of work-life balance and shows that long work hours can impact mental health.

While working long hours may be necessary in some jobs, employers and workers alike should strive to promote healthy work environments and prioritize mental health and well-being.