The mediating role of work-to-family conflict in the relationship between shiftwork and depression

Abstract

With significant segments of the working population involved in shiftwork, there is the possibility of serious health outcomes. There are two possible pathways to ill health. In the biological pathway the body's circadian rhythms are affected, leading to physiological disturbances and the inability to cope. By contrast, the aim of this study is to elucidate a social pathway by which shiftwork may lead to mental ill health. It examines the mediating influence of work-to-family conflict in the association between shiftwork and depression. Gender differences are also investigated. The sample included 2,931 Canadian respondents with a spouse and at least one child living at home. Close to 28% of respondents were involved in some form of shiftwork. Structural equation modelling supported partial mediation through work-to-family conflict. Further analyses found that mediation was supported in sub-samples of male and female respondents. The results, however, suggest that the experience of shiftwork is quite similar for men and women as no significant differences were found between mediating models. Overall, the findings support the social explanation of the effect of shiftwork on mental health, but they do not rule out other social or biological pathways.

The multilevel determinants of workers’ mental health: results from the SALVEO study

“…Fewer mental health problems are expected when living with a partner [4,47,80], in households with young children [42,47,79], and those that have low-strain relationships with spouse or children [8,23,47], higher household incomes [41,84], less work-family conflicts [12, 33,75], and greater access to the support of social network outside the workplace [22,47,73].…”

Systematic review of the relationship between quick returns in rotating shift work and health-related outcomes

“…Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that shift work may impair mental wellbeing and increases the risk for psychological distress (Vogel et al 2012, Baron and Reid 2014). It has been suggested that some of the effects of shift work on mental health may be mediated by social difficulties in terms of imbalance between work and private life (Haines et al 2008). Shift work has also been inferred as a risk factor for sick leave; currently, however, this seems primarily to apply to female healthcare workers on fixed evening work (Merkus et al 2012).…”

The association between shift work and sick leave: a systematic review

“…These include impacts on health and psychosocial well-being, such as work-family conflict,2 increased fatigue,3 problems with adapting and readapting to night work,4 and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease,5 gastrointestinal problems,6 7 and cancer 8…”