Is suicidal ideation linked to working hours and shift work in Korea?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Long working hours (long WHs) and shift work are prevalent globally and linked to adverse health outcomes.
• Understanding the specific impact of these work factors on mental health, such as suicidal ideation, is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between long working hours and night/shift work with suicidal ideation among the employed population in Korea.
• To analyze these associations considering gender and employment status differences.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2008 Korean Community Health Survey (CHS) involving 67,471 employed individuals.
• Employed multiple logistic regression models, stratified by gender and employment type, to analyze the relationship between working hours, shift work, and suicidal ideation.

Main Results:

• Long working hours (51-60 hours/week and over 60 hours/week) were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation across various male and female employee and self-employed/employer groups.
• Shift work was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation specifically among female employees.
• Associations varied by gender and employment status, indicating differential vulnerability.

Conclusions:

• Long working hours and shift work are significant occupational risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in the Korean workforce.
• The findings underscore the public and occupational health concerns related to exceptionally long working hours in Korea and other OECD countries.
• Policy interventions, including reducing maximum working hours and enhancing job stability, are recommended to mitigate these risks.