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

Ezekekwu, Emmanuel; Johnson, Christopher; Karimi, Seyed; Lorenz, Doug; Antimisiaris, Demetra · J Occup Environ Med · 2025

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

There is a paucity of longitudinal studies examining the relationship between working hours and the development of psychological distress (PD) among US workers. This study utilized a longitudinal approach to examine this relationship. The 2010-2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data was utilized. PD was analyzed among full-time US employees without PD at baseline using a fixed effect approach. The sample comprised 27,548 full-time workers. Individuals working 61 hours or more weekly had the highest risk of PD onset, at 9.9% (95% CI = 1.9%-17.8%, P < 0.05), compared to those working 30 to 35 hours weekly. Interestingly, an increased risk of PD onset was found among individuals working 36 to 40 hr/wk at 6.6% (CI = 1.5%-11.6%%, P < 0.05). Long working hours were associated with the increased development of PD.

Medical subject headings