Relationship Between Long Working Hours and Depression

A 3-Year Longitudinal Study of Clerical Workers

Abstract

Objective: 

To clarify how long working hours affect the likelihood of current and future depression.

Methods: 

Using data from four repeated measurements collected from 218 clerical workers, four models associating work-related factors to the depressive mood scale were established. The final model was constructed after comparing and testing the goodness-of-fit index using structural equation modeling. Multiple logistic regression analysis was also performed.

Results: 

The final model showed the best fit (normed fit index = 0.908; goodness-of-fit index = 0.936; root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.018). Its standardized total effect indicated that long working hours affected depression at the time of evaluation and 1 to 3 years later. The odds ratio for depression risk was 14.7 in employees who were not long-hours overworked according to the initial survey but who were long-hours overworked according to the second survey.

Conclusions: 

Long working hours increase current and future risks of depression.