New research has shed light on the complex relationship between working hours and mental well-being in older adults. The findings suggest that a reduction in work hours, particularly for those in a comfortable financial position, may paradoxically increase the risk of depression. This unexpected outcome challenges the conventional view that less work automatically translates to improved mental health in later life.

The study, recently featured in 'Occupational Medicine,' aimed to understand how different working hour patterns influence depression levels among older workers. It utilized data from the 'Health and Employment After Fifty' initiative, focusing on individuals aged 50–64 in the United Kingdom. Participants provided information on their working hours and completed a recognized depression assessment during baseline (2013-14) and subsequent annual surveys until 2019. The research also gathered comprehensive data on various socio-demographic factors, including age, gender, marital status, educational background, housing situation, and perceived financial stability. Additionally, work-related variables such as employment type, shift schedules, job satisfaction, physical demands, occupation, and industry were recorded. All these contributing factors were assessed at the beginning of the study period.

Initially, the study enrolled 8,314 individuals. For the primary analysis, 3,866 participants were selected after excluding those with existing depression at the outset or incomplete data. The distribution of working hours among these participants revealed that approximately 40% worked 35–40 hours per week, 26% worked over 40 hours per week, 22% worked 20–35 hours per week, and 12% worked less than 20 hours per week. Significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed across these groups. For instance, individuals working less than 20 hours per week were predominantly female and over 60 years old. Among females, 12% worked over 40 hours, 38% worked 35–40 hours, 34% worked 20–35 hours, and 18% worked less than 20 hours. For males, the corresponding figures were 39%, 43%, 12%, and 6%. Participants with fewer working hours often owned their homes and reported financial comfort. Conversely, the group working over 40 hours per week showed the highest rates of obesity/overweight and alcohol consumption. This group also included a higher proportion of directors, managers, senior officials, and plant/process/machine operators, while administrative and secretarial roles were more prevalent in the 20–35 hours per week category. The overall incidence of depression during the follow-up period was 32%.

A notable finding was a marginally elevated risk of new depression cases among those working 20–35 hours per week, compared to those working 35–40 hours per week. No such link was found for individuals working less than 20 hours or more than 40 hours weekly. However, a higher risk of depression was specifically identified among financially secure participants working less than 20 hours per week. For those with an intermediate financial standing, working 20–35 hours per week was associated with an increased depression risk. No such associations were observed for individuals experiencing financial difficulties. When broken down by occupation, female directors, managers, and senior officials working 20–35 hours per week exhibited a heightened depression risk. A reverse analysis involving 5,018 participants indicated that individuals with baseline depression were more prone to either stopping work or reducing their working hours. Moreover, depressed males in the intermediate financial bracket were more likely to decrease their working hours than their non-depressed counterparts.

The researchers propose that these trends might stem from a discrepancy between desired and actual working hours, where working fewer hours than preferred can adversely affect mental well-being. For some women, part-time work may be linked to caregiving duties, potentially contributing to a greater risk of depression. Among men with moderate financial stability, reduced hours could signify underemployment or a perceived loss of their role as primary providers, both of which can impact psychological health. Interestingly, the study found no overall correlation between very long working hours and depression in older adults. The authors speculate this could be due to higher seniority or job satisfaction among those dedicating more time to their careers.

The study highlights significant variations in demographic profiles based on working hours, and reveals that depression risk in older adults is influenced by both financial stability and hours worked. Specifically, individuals who are financially comfortable and work less than 20 hours per week, as well as those with intermediate financial status working 20–35 hours per week, face a greater likelihood of experiencing depression. The authors acknowledge that the study did not capture the underlying reasons for changes in working hours, which limits the ability to draw definitive causal conclusions. Future research, they suggest, should explore these motivations and their health implications more deeply, with detailed analyses across diverse occupational and demographic groups to validate these associations.