Beyond working hours: the association between long working hours, the use of work-related communication devices outside regular working hours, and anxiety symptoms

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aims to identify and compare the associations between long working hours and use of work-related communication devices outside regular working hours on anxiety symptoms, thereby providing insight into redefining working hours. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), specifically the responses from 46,055 workers, the use of work-related communication devices outside of regular working hours, long working hours, and anxiety symptoms were assessed. To investigate the associations between using work-related communication devices outside regular working hours or long working hours on anxiety symptoms, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. Results: Among 46,055 participants, 25,659 (55.7%) used work-related communication devices outside working hours, 8,145 (17.7%) worked long hours, and 2,664 (5.8%) experienced anxiety symptoms. Compared to the reference group, those who used work-related communication devices outside regular working hours without working long hours, had higher OR of anxiety symptoms (OR:2.18, 95% CI:1.97-2.41) than those who worked long hours without using work-related communication devices during off-hours (OR:1.32, 95% CI:1.09-1.59). Furthermore, the group that both worked long hours and used work-related communication devices outside working hours exhibited the highest OR of anxiety symptoms (OR:2.57, 95% CI:2.24-2.97). Conclusions: Using work-related communication devices outside regular working hours is associated with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms compared to long working hours. This result suggests that using work-related devices outside regular working hours, in addition to regular work time, should be considered when redefining working hours.