Overtime Causes Anxiety and Depression

16 Jun 2008

Employees working overtime are more likely to have depression and anxiety, according to a new study that published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicin.

The study was led by Elisabeth Kleppa of the University of Bergen, Norway. It has has revealed that people working for longer hours are at a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety.

During the study, the researchers analysed the data on work hours from a larger study of Norwegian men and women.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using a standard screening questionnaire and scores were compared for 1,350 workers who worked overtime, 41 to 100 hours per week; and approximately 9,000 workers who worked normal hours, 40 hours or less.

They found that overtime was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores among both men and women.

The scores showed that 'possible' depression increased from about nine per cent for men with normal work hours to 12.5 per cent for those who worked overtime, while in women, the rate of possible depression increased from seven to eleven percent.




In both sexes, rates of possible anxiety and depression were higher among workers with lower incomes and for less-skilled workers.

The relationship between overtime and anxiety/depression was strongest among men who worked for 49 to 100 hours per week. Men working more than 48 hours per week are at a higher of mental distress.

The study was published in the June Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.