Working Time Characteristics and Mental Health among Corrections and Transportation Workers

Abstract

Objectives Mental health disorders are a leading cause of work disability and while the psychosocial workplace environment plays a critical role, working time characteristics are also implicated. We sought to examine the association between working time characteristics and mental health in a cohort of two unionized, full-time worker populations, correctional supervisors, and transportation maintainers. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we surveyed workers on working time characteristics across seven domains including length of the shift, the intensity or proximity of sequential shifts, the time of day, and social aspects of work hours including predictability, variability, control, and free time. Burnout symptoms (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory) and depressive symptoms (eight-item Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were assessed along with the psychosocial work environment and health behaviors. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for age, gender, and company. Results A total of 318 workers were surveyed. The majority (72%) of workers reported a fixed shift. The prevalence of burnout symptoms was higher among workers reporting more frequent shift intensity (working 6 or more days in a row) (PR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.31; P = 0.04). Low psychological demands and high worker social support were associated with fewer burnout symptoms, independent of working time characteristics. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in workers reporting more frequent unpredictable work (PR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.35; P = 0.04) and was lower among workers reporting increased schedule control (PR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96; P = 0.01). Higher worker social support as well as sufficient sleep and adequate exercise were associated with fewer depressive symptoms, independent of working time characteristics. Conclusions Different working time characteristics were associated with work-related mental health (i.e. burnout) as well as general mental health (i.e. depressive symptoms). Work intensity was associated with the prevalence of burnout symptoms and the results suggest that the mechanism may be through the need for recovery from the psychosocial exposures of work. Both schedule control and predictability were associated with depressive symptoms and the results suggest that work-life imbalance and lack of recovery may be implicated. Comprehensive prevention policies that consider work organization along with the psychosocial work environment and work-life balance may help to improve workers’ mental health.

Organizational Factors and Their Impact on Mental Health in Public Safety Organizations

“…Resiliency ( n = 3) [ 8 , 75 , 108 ] was associated with lower secondary traumatic stress in PSP populations [ 75 ]. Finally, good physical health ( n = 3) [ 43 , 76 , 85 ], race ( n = 3) [ 71 , 82 , 106 ], and social support ( n = 3) [ 18 , 29 , 101 ] were other identified positive factors.…”

“…Exposure to critical incidents [ 5 , 19 , 22 , 24 , 35 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 52 , 53 , 64 , 67 , 71 , 78 , 82 , 89 , 90 , 92 , 103 , 104 ] was the most frequently cited negative operational factor, included in 21 studies. High workload [ 8 , 19 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 57 , 59 , 66 , 70 , 73 , 74 , 80 , 96 , 98 ] was the second most frequently cited negative operational factor ( n = 20). Thirteen articles identified threats or risk of violence [ 41 , 44 , 45 , 50 , 66 , 69 , 70 , 76 , 77 , 81 , ...…”

“…Experiencing mental health conditions was the most frequently cited ( n = 26) negative personal factor, included in 27 percent of articles [ 22 , 24 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 40 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 59 , 67 , 77 , 80 , 85 , 90 , 92 , 98 , 100 , 101 , 107 ]. PTSD, anxiety, depression, and general mental health difficulties were the most frequently listed diagnoses.…”

“…Another article found an association between work–life conflict and burnout in firefighters [ 95 ]. The following three factors were identified in 12 articles each: gender [ 18 , 25 , 36 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 55 , 56 , 79 , 102 , 106 , 111 ], poor sleep [ 18 , 29 , 34 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 50 , 67 , 69 , 84 , 86 , 98 ], and job dissatisfaction [ 28 , 31 , 33 , 50 , 55 , 59 , 73 , 80 , 81 , 89 , 104 ]. Fatigue ( n = 9) [ 5 , 8 , 21 , 30 , 34 , 40 , 84 , 86 , 98 ], lack of coping skills ( n = 10) [ 8 , 26 , 33 , 39 , 41 …”

Participatory Assessment and Selection of Workforce Health Intervention Priorities for Correctional Supervisors

“…The effect of overtime on well-being is supported by research with corrections workers showing that long hours (>48 hours weekly) are associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, 91 and that work intensity (working 6+ days in a row) is associated with work burnout, likely due to prolonged physical and psychosocial work exposures and insufficient recovery during non-work time. 92 Further, extended and irregular work hours pose barriers to physical and emotional health, social well-being (ie, family, leisure, community participation), and health behaviors (ie, sleep, nutrition, exercise, weight management). 93 Opportunities to work overtime are well compensated and therefore competitively pursued; however there remains a deficient understanding of the root causes of sacrificing health to maximize earnings (particularly among lieutenants).…”