26 January 2012
Working overtime may be linked to depression in middle-aged office workers, according to a study published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Researchers found that people working 11 hours or more a day (of which three hours were overtime) were about two and a half times more likely to have a major depressive episode (MDE) than those working seven to eight hour days (no overtime).
Depression is a condition in which people have low mood, a loss of interest in everyday activities, feelings of low self-worth, a lack of energy and poor concentration, all of which last a long time. A MDE is a severe period of depression, which can be life-threatening as people may have suicidal thoughts.
The researchers found that the people in this study most likely to be affected by depression were generally younger, female, moderate drinkers, have a long-term physical illness, or a low-status job.
When looking at the results, the researchers took into account other important factors that can affect a person’s risk of developing depression including age, sex, how much they smoke, alcohol use and pressures at work.
Dr Jenny Leeser, Clinical Director of Occupational Health, Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “The findings from this study are not as clear cut as they first appear. We can’t simply conclude that working long hours or overtime causes depression. It could well be that some other lifestyle or behavioural factor that occurs as a result of working long hours, for example, lack of sleep, not being able to unwind after work or family conflict, is to blame. This theory is given further weight by the researchers’ finding that people with high-powered jobs who work long hours are actually less likely to develop depression.
“A group of full-time British civil servants were looked at in this study. This group of people work within a very specific type of environment and so the findings from this study can’t necessarily be applied to people who work in other settings. For example, shift workers or those who work in the hospitality industry who will experience different pressures both inside and outside of work.
“My advice to anyone who feels overworked and under too much pressure is to speak to your employer. He or she may be able to help you improve your situation at work. Alternatively, seek advice and support from an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or similar. It’s really important to try and get a good work-life balance, regardless of your occupation, and get a good night’s sleep so that you are able to cope with any stresses and strains that may come with your job.”
The researchers looked at a group of 2,123 male and female British civil servants with an average age of 47. The London-based workers completed a questionnaire at the beginning of the study about their lifestyle and working conditions. Their mental health was also assessed. After an average of six years, the workers were interviewed to see if they had had any MDEs. A total of 66 people in the study developed a MDE.
Produced by Krysta Munford, Bupa Health Information Team.
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Virtanen M, Stansfeld S, Fuhrer R, et al. Overtime work as a predictor of major depressive episode: a 5-year follow-up of the Whitehall II Study. PLoS ONE 2012; 7(1): e30719. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0030719
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