Longer Work Hours More Likely to Cause Depression or Suicidal Thoughts

People walk through Gwanghwamun Station in central Seoul on June 25, 2021. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Working extensive hours hurts not only physically, but also mentally, a recent study revealed.

A research team from Soonchunhyang University Hospital conducted a survey of 14,625 men and women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey held between 2013 and 2018, dividing them into groups based on their average weekly working hours from 31 to 40 hours (5,383 people, 36.8 percent), 41 to 50 hours (4,656 people, 31.8 percent), 51 to 60 hours (2,553 people, 17.5 percent) and 60 hours or longer (2,033 people, 13.8 percent).

Compared with those working 31 to 40 hours per week, those that worked 41 to 50 hours a week were 1.3 times more likely to face depression.

Those working 51 to 60 hours per week were 1.5 times more likely to be depressed and those working 60 hours or longer per week were 1.61 times more likely to face depression.

Respondents working 60 hours or longer per week were 2.3 times more likely to consider committing suicide than those working 31 to 40 hours per week.

The results took into consideration all external factors that may influence the respondent’s sense of depression and thoughts about suicide.

“This confirms that working extensive hours takes a toll not just physically, but also mentally,” said Han Sang-soo, a professor of Emergency Medicine at Soonchunhyang University Hospital who led the study.

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)