The Difference of Suicidal Ideation Between Shift Workers and Day Workers by Gender

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry
• Chronobiology

Background:

• Shift work disrupts the natural 24-hour circadian rhythm, leading to various health and psychological issues.
• The impact of circadian rhythm disruption from shift work on mental health, particularly suicidal risk, requires further investigation, especially concerning gender differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between shift work and suicidal ideation, considering gender differences.
• To explore the association between emotional difficulties (depression, anxiety) and suicidal risk in shift workers stratified by gender.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 79,009 health checkup recipients.
• Utilized Chi-square tests and t-tests to compare psychosocial factors between genders.
• Employed logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios for suicidal ideation in shift workers versus day workers, controlling for age, depression, and insomnia.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in suicidal ideation risk was found between female shift workers and day workers (AOR, 0.957; 95% CI, 0.826-1.109).
• Male shift workers exhibited a significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation compared to male day workers (AOR, 1.157; 95% CI, 1.021-1.310).
• Emotional difficulties like depression and anxiety were associated with shift work in women, whereas maladaptation to shift work appeared linked to suicidal ideation in men.

Conclusions:

• The factors contributing to shift work-related suicidal ideation differ significantly between genders.
• Gender-specific suicide prevention strategies are necessary for shift workers to address unique risk factors.
• Understanding these gender-based differences is crucial for developing effective interventions for shift workers' mental well-being.