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Effect of overtime work on cognitive function in automotive workers
S P Proctor1, R F White, T G Robins
1Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Increased overtime work negatively impacts cognitive functions like attention and executive function. It also contributes to adverse mood changes, including fatigue and confusion, in automotive workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Overtime work is prevalent in many industries, raising concerns about its potential health and cognitive effects.
- Understanding the relationship between work hours and cognitive performance is crucial for employee well-being and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if increased overtime work predicts impairments in attention, executive function, and mood.
- To examine the association between overtime hours and consecutive workdays with cognitive and mood outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A neurobehavioral test battery assessed 248 automotive workers.
- Overtime was defined as hours exceeding 8 per day or 5 per week, calculated from payroll records.
- Consecutive days worked before testing were also recorded.
Main Results:
- Increased overtime was significantly linked to poorer performance in attention and executive function tests.
- Higher overtime hours correlated with increased feelings of depression, fatigue, and confusion.
- Significant interaction effects were found for job type, but not for naphtha exposure.
Conclusions:
- Overtime work is associated with impaired cognitive functions, specifically attention and executive function.
- Both the number of overtime hours and consecutive workdays negatively affect mood states.
- Findings support the hypothesis that extended work hours detrimentally impact cognitive abilities and emotional well-being.