Dr. Wen-Jui Han spoke about her study to CP24 Toronto.
New York, NY – A new study by NYU Silver School of Social Work Professor Wen-Jui Han that established a connection between atypical work schedules and poorer health later in life has captured global media attention. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study used data from a nationally representative sample of about 7,000 people in the U.S. conducted over three decades to examine how employment patterns starting at age 22 might be associated with worse health and depressive symptoms at age 50.
According to PLOS ONE’s press release about the study:
Han found that around a quarter of participants (26%) worked stable standard hours, with a further third (35%) working mostly standard hours. 17 percent initially worked standard hours in their 20s, later transitioning into volatile working patterns – a combination of evening, night, and variable hours. 12 percent initially worked standard hours and then switched to variable hours. A final ten percent were mostly not working over this period.
Compared to individuals who mostly worked during traditional daytime hours throughout their working career, those whose careers featured more volatile work schedules slept less, had lower sleep quality, and were more likely to report depressive symptoms at age 50. The most striking results were seen in those who had stable work hours in their 20s and then transitioned to more volatile work hours in their 30s. This effect size was significant and similar to that of being educated only to below high school level.
Han also found racial and gender-related trends. For example, Black Americans were more likely to have volatile work schedules associated with poorer health, highlighting how some groups may disproportionately shoulder the adverse consequences of such employment patterns.
Among the media outlets that picked up this important story with implications for employment policy are:
Newsweek: Working Beyond the 9–5 Leads to Health 'Vulnerability' Later in Life
CNN: Your work schedule as a young adult may harm your health decades later, study finds
U.S. News & World Report: Tough Work Hours in 20s, 30s Tied to Worse Health Decades Later
Bloomberg: Why We're So Exhausted If We're Spending More Time in Bed
Health Day: Young Adult Employment Patterns Impact Health in Middle Adulthood
AOL UK: Young people who work 9-5 have better long-term health, study finds
Outlook India: Can Irregular Work Hours Impact Your Health? See What Study Reveals
Medical Xpress: Working outside the typical 9–5 in younger adulthood may be linked with worse health decades later
The Week: Volatile work schedules linked to poor health in mid-life
NDTV: Erratic Work Hours Can Harm Your Health Decades Later: Study
Newsmax Health: Tough Work Hours in 20s, 30s Tied to Bad Health Later
Yahoo! Noticias: El horario de trabajo que tienes actualmente puede afectar tu salud en unas décadas, revela estudio
NPR: Rise and grind? Working late, volatile hours may lead to depression, illness by 50
Daily Mail: Sorry, Dolly - scientists think working a 9-5 might actually be GOOD for you!
New York Post: Working odd hours could impact health decades later, study
People: Night Shifts, Hectic Work Schedules When Young Can Lead to Depression, Poor Health in Middle Age
TheGrio: Black people disproportionately affected by hectic work schedules
Black Enterprise: Study reveals impact of harsh work schedules on health, especially among Black Americans
Deseret News: Working late, ‘volatile hours’ in young adulthood can lead to depression, illness later: Study
AOL: Black people disproportionately affected by hectic work schedules
MSN: Night Shifts, Hectic Work Schedules When Young Can Lead to Depression, Poor Health in Middle Age
CTV: Your work schedule as a young adult may harm your health decades later, study finds
Economic Times: Study Warns: Atypical work hours in youth linked to poor health at 50