Working 11 hours or more a day doubles depression risk

LONDON - Researchers found that the odds of a major depressive episode are more than double for those
working 11 or more hours a day compared to those working seven to eight hours a day.

The authors, led by Dr Marianna Virtanen of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and University College London, followed about 2,000 middle-aged British civil servants and found a "robust" association between overtime work and depression.

The correlation was not affected when the analysis was adjusted for various possible confounders, including socio-demographics, lifestyle, and work-related factors.

There have been a number of previous studies on the subject, with varying results, but the researchers emphasise that it is hard to compare results across these studies because the cut-off for "overtime" work has not been standardised.

Dr Virtanen said: "Although occasionally working overtime may have benefits for the individual and society, it is important to recognise that working excessive hours is also associated with an increased risk of major depression."