Recent research published in JAMA Network Open has linked shift work to an increased susceptibility for depression and anxiety.
Study Overview
Minzhi Xu, Ph.D., and his team from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, delved into the relationship between shift work and mental health.
Their research spanned data from the UK Biobank baseline survey, which included a cohort of 175,543 employed and self-employed workers from 2006 to 2010. Notably, 16.2% of this cohort engaged in shift work.
During an average follow-up of approximately 9 years, the team found 2.3% of the workers faced depression and 1.7% developed anxiety.
Shift workers specifically faced an increased risk of both depression (hazard ratio of 1.22) and anxiety (hazard ratio of 1.16).
Interestingly, the risk of developing these mental health conditions seemed to increase with the frequency of shifts worked. However, the type of shift (night vs. non-night) did not show any significant variation in risk.
Further probing revealed a connection between the duration of shift work and the likelihood of depression and anxiety. Longer durations of shift work were linked to a decreased risk.
The study identified key factors that mediated the relationship between shift work and these mental health conditions: smoking, sedentary behavior, body mass index, and sleep duration.
These mediators respectively accounted for 31.3% of the association with depression and 21.2% of the association with anxiety.
Implications and Recommendations
The findings shed light on the adverse mental health outcomes related to shift work, underscoring the necessity for public health interventions.
As the authors of the study conclude, shift work shouldn’t just be seen as a mere job requirement but as an occupational hazard.
This recognition prompts a need for measures that foster healthier lifestyles among shift workers, ultimately aiming to boost their mental well-being.
This study is a clarion call for employers, health professionals, and policymakers to acknowledge the challenges shift workers face and provide the necessary support to improve their mental health.
It emphasizes the significance of preventive strategies and interventions tailored to this specific group of workers.
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The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
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