A Longitudinal Analysis of Long Working Hours and the Onset of Psychological Distress (January 2025)-A Longitudinal Analysis of Long Working Hours and the Onset of Psychological Distress

A Longitudinal Analysis of Long Working Hours and the Onset of Psychological Distress

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The study "A Longitudinal Analysis of Long Working Hours and the Onset of Psychological Distress" investigates the relationship between prolonged working hours and the development of psychological distress (PD) among US workers. Utilizing data from the 2010–2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), the researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis involving 27,548 full-time workers without PD at baseline, employing a fixed effect approach for examination.<br /><br />The findings indicate that individuals working 61 or more hours weekly face the highest risk of developing PD, with a 9.9% increase compared to those working 30-35 hours weekly. There is also a notable risk increase among those working 36-40 hours weekly (6.6%). These long working hours have been associated with the increased release of stress hormones and adverse health behaviors, which can lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety.<br /><br />The study highlights a complex relationship between working hours and PD onset. Individuals working beyond regular hours are not the only ones at risk; those working 36-40 hours can also experience significant stress. Factors such as age, income, and gender further influence the vulnerability to PD, with older adults and those earning middle to high incomes more at risk. Additionally, gender-specific analyses revealed that women working extensive hours had a higher risk of PD compared to men.<br /><br />The results underscore the need for policy interventions to tackle the health implications of long working hours, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and mental health support in the workplace. The study calls for gender-specific approaches to alleviate the mental health burden of long working hours and suggests that the regulatory environment in the US could benefit from adopting more comprehensive guidelines regarding working hours.

Keywords

long working hours

psychological distress

US workers

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

stress hormones

depression

anxiety

work-life balance

gender-specific

policy interventions