Eunsoo Choi1, Kwan Woo Choi2, Hyun-Ghang Jeong3, Moon-Soo Lee3, Young-Hoon Ko4, Changsu Han3, Byung-Joo Ham2, Jisoon Chang5, Kyu-Man Han6. 1. School of Psychology, Korea University College of Liberal Arts, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Metropolitan Eunpyeong Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: han272@korea.ac.kr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Long working hours can be a risk factor for poor mental health; however, little is known about the potential factors moderating their relation. This study investigates the association between working hours and depressive symptoms, and explores the potential moderating effect of gender, income level, and job status on this association using a nationally representative sample of working population in South Korea. METHODS: Data of 7,082 workers aged 19 years or above were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2018 in South Korea. Working hours were categorized into 35-39, 40, 41-52, 53-68, and ≥69 hours/week. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Individuals working ≥69 hours/week were more likely to have moderate to severe depressive symptoms compared to those working 40 hours/week. The association between longer working hours and depressive symptoms was especially prominent in female workers, standard wage workers, and workers with low income levels. We observed significant partial mediation pathways between working hours and PHQ-9 scores through both perceived usual stress level and self-rated health in the total sample. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design of the study limits causal interpretation of the findings. CONCLUSION: Working longer than the legal upper limit of 52 hours/week puts workers at a greater risk for depression. Females, low-income workers, and wage workers are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of long working hours on mental health.
BACKGROUND: Long working hours can be a risk factor for poor mental health; however, little is known about the potential factors moderating their relation. This study investigates the association between working hours and depressive symptoms, and explores the potential moderating effect of gender, income level, and job status on this association using a nationally representative sample of working population in South Korea. METHODS: Data of 7,082 workers aged 19 years or above were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2018 in South Korea. Working hours were categorized into 35-39, 40, 41-52, 53-68, and ≥69 hours/week. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Individuals working ≥69 hours/week were more likely to have moderate to severe depressive symptoms compared to those working 40 hours/week. The association between longer working hours and depressive symptoms was especially prominent in female workers, standard wage workers, and workers with low income levels. We observed significant partial mediation pathways between working hours and PHQ-9 scores through both perceived usual stress level and self-rated health in the total sample. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design of the study limits causal interpretation of the findings. CONCLUSION: Working longer than the legal upper limit of 52 hours/week puts workers at a greater risk for depression. Females, low-income workers, and wage workers are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of long working hours on mental health.
Authors: Rosane Harter Griep; Maria da Conceição C Almeida; Sandhi Maria Barreto; André R Brunoni; Bruce B Duncan; Luana Giatti; José Geraldo Mill; Maria Del Carmen B Molina; Arlinda B Moreno; Ana Luisa Patrão; Maria Inês Schmidt; Maria de Jesus Mendes da Fonseca Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-10-03