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Niu X, Li C, Xia Y. How does working time impact perceived mental disorders? New insights into the U-shaped relationship. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1402428. [PMID: 39022408 PMCID: PMC11252037 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1402428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Based on a large-scale nationally representative survey in China, this paper uses the exogenous impact of automation on working hours as the instrumental variable to examine working time's impact on perceived mental disorders, on the basis of dealing with endogeneity. Different from existing literature, it is found that the impact of working time on perceived mental disorders is U-shaped, rather than linear. Mental disorders firstly decrease with working hours. After working more than 48.688 h per week, further increases in working time carry notable mental health costs, leading to a positive relationship between working hours and depression. The turning point of this U-shaped relationship is almost in line with the International Labor Organization's 48 working hours/week standard, justifying it from a mental health perspective. In addition, we further exclude the possibility of more complex nonlinear relationships between working time and perceived mental disorders. Furthermore, heterogeneities are found in the effects of working hours on mental disorders across different subgroups. Males are more depressed when working overtime. Older workers have a lower tolerance for overwork stress. The turning point is smaller for the highly educated group and they are more sensitive to working longer. Those with higher socioeconomic status are less depressed after exceeding the optimal hours of work. The increase in depression among rural workers faced with overwork is not prominent. Perceived mental disorders are lower among immigrants and those with higher health status. In addition, labor protection and social security help to weaken mental disorders caused by overtime work. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that working time has a U-shaped impact on perceived mental disorders and highlights the vulnerability of certain groups, providing a reference for setting optimal working hours from a mental health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoru Niu
- School of Mechanical, Electrical & Information Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Li
- Business School, Shandong University, Weihai, China
- Centre for Quality of Life and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuxin Xia
- HSBC Business School, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
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Liu D, Zhou Y, Tao X, Cheng Y, Tao R. Mental health symptoms and associated factors among primary healthcare workers in China during the post-pandemic era. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1374667. [PMID: 38807997 PMCID: PMC11130373 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1374667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among healthcare workers has been widely reported during the initial and ongoing phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little remains known about the mental health status of primary healthcare workers in China during the post-pandemic era. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 1, 2023, and May 31, 2023 in Anhui China. A total of 13,530 primary healthcare workers were recruited. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify potential factors associated with the incidence of depression and anxiety among primary healthcare workers. Results The prevalence of depression and anxiety among primary healthcare workers was 50.7 and 26.4%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression revealed that female gender (OR = 1.345, 95%CI = 1.222-1.479), being divorced or widowed (OR = 1.432, 95%CI = 1.128-1.817), being a nurse (OR = 1.250, 95%CI = 1.126-1.388), and working more than 8 h per day (OR = 1.710, 95%CI = 1.583-1.846) were significantly associated with depression. A higher risk of anxiety among primary healthcare workers was associated with female gender (OR = 1.338, 95%CI = 1.198-1.494), being divorced or widowed (OR = 1.373, 95%CI = 1.056-1.770), being a nurse (OR = 1.139, 95%CI = 1.013-1.282), and working more than 8 h per day (OR = 1.638, 95%CI = 1.497-1.794). Better monthly income, more than 21 years of working experience and without experience of workplace violence were protective factors against depression and anxiety during the post-pandemic era. Conclusion Depressive symptoms are more common among primary healthcare workers in China during the post-pandemic era. Female gender, being divorced or widowed, being a nurse, working years, working seniority, monthly income, and experience of workplace violence were identified as associated factors. Targeted intervention is needed when developing strategies to reduce depression and improve primary healthcare workers' wellness and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Difei Liu
- School of Education, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuhe Zhou
- School of Education, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Xubowen Tao
- School of Physical Education, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yutong Cheng
- School of Education, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
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Tao R, Li W, Min K, Mo D, Geng F, Xia L, Liu T, Liu Y, Jiang F, Liu H, Tang YL. Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety and stress among clinical therapists in China in the context of early COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1342528. [PMID: 38463429 PMCID: PMC10920219 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1342528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To study the socio-demographic characteristics and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among clinical therapists in China during the early Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to identify associated factors. Method This cross-sectional study was part of a multicenter, nationally representative survey conducted through WeChat from January 2021 to March 2021. Data, including socio-demographics, health-related behaviors, and information on whether they participated in the frontline work of treating COVID-19, were collected anonymously. Respondents also completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). Results In total, 396 clinical therapists in the selected hospitals completed the questionnaires, with a response rate of 89.0%. Respondents were predominantly female (77.3%). About 6.6% of the participants were current tobacco users, and 20.7% had participated in the frontline work of treating COVID-19. Overall, 22.0%, 17.9%, and 8.8% of participants were classified as having clinically meaningful depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively, based on DASS-21 scores. Multiple logistic regression in Model 1 and Model 2 showed that depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with regular physical activity and frequent insomnia (all, p < 0.05). In anxiety model 2, the associated factors for anxiety during the pandemic were identified as education (master's degree or more, OR=0.520; 95% CI=0.283-0.955), marital status (single, OR=2.064; 95% CI=1.022-4.168), tobacco use (OR=4.265; 95% CI=1.352-13.454), regular physical activity (OR=0.357; 95% CI=0.192-0.663), frequent insomnia (OR=6.298; 95% CI =2.522-15.729), and participation in the frontline work of treating COVID-19 (OR=3.179; 95% CI=1.697-5.954). The COVID-19 epidemic did not significantly increase the depression and stress levels among clinical therapists, but it did significantly increase anxiety levels. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression, anxiety and stress were relatively common among clinical therapists in China. Regular physical activity and good sleep were important protective factors against emotional problems. Therefore, encouraging regular physical activity and actively addressing clinical therapists' sleep problems is beneficial to improving the ability to cope with negative emotions. The COVID-19 epidemic significantly increased anxiety, and awareness and interventions should be recommended to reduce anxiety among clinical therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
| | - Wenzheng Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
- Department of Substance-Related Disorders, Hefei Fourth People’s Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Kaiyuan Min
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Daming Mo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
- Department of Substance-Related Disorders, Hefei Fourth People’s Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Geng
- Department of Psychiatry, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
| | - Tingfang Liu
- Research Department, School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanli Liu
- Research Department, School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Research Department, School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Research Department, Institute of Healthy Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanzhong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Anhui Psychiatric Center, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-lang Tang
- Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
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