Working Overtime Linked To Depression, Anxiety

The reason for the phenomenon isn't clear from this new study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, but European researchers found:

"Working overtime was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores among both men and women. The rate of questionnaire scores indicating 'possible' depression increased from about nine percent for men with normal work hours to 12.5 percent for those who worked overtime.

"For women, the rate of possible depression increased from seven to eleven percent. In both sexes, rates of possible anxiety and depression were higher among workers with lower incomes and for less-skilled workers.

"The relationship between overtime and anxiety/depression was strongest among men who worked the most overtime 49 to 100 hours per week. Men working such very long hours also had higher rates of heavy manual labor and shift work and lower levels of work skills and education."

It's an interesting enough finding, but you have to wonder how it would turn out in the US (are Americans who work OT less depressed that their Euro counterparts?) and what the implications are for regular humans. Work less? Do less manual labor? Get a better education?

Even more, I have to wonder if our shift in America from a manufacturing economy to more of a service economy over the last 30 years has resulted in more or less depression and anxiety. I wouldn't even pretend to know.