Study Reveals Potential Long-Term Health Impacts of Young Adult Work Schedules
The immediate drawbacks of an irregular work schedule are evident: constant fatigue and the sacrifice of quality time with loved ones. However, recent research sheds light on potentially severe long-term consequences associated with work patterns in young adulthood and their impact on health outcomes later in life.
While numerous studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of irregular work hours on overall health and social well-being, a new paper takes a “life-course” approach, examining how work patterns influence health throughout adulthood rather than at a single point in time.
Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the report defines a standard work schedule as starting at 6 a.m. or later and ending at 6 p.m. Evening work schedules begin at 2 p.m. or later until midnight, while nighttime schedules encompass shifts starting at 9 p.m. or later and ending by 8 a.m. Participants with split or rotating shifts or irregular hours were classified as having variable schedules.
Dr. Wen-Jui Han, the study’s sole author and a professor at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University, emphasized that a significant portion of observed work patterns deviated from stable daytime hours throughout working years. These variable schedules were associated with adverse health outcomes, including reduced sleep duration and quality, diminished physical and mental functions, and higher likelihoods of poor health and depressive symptoms by age 50.
Analyzing data from over 7,300 participants, predominantly White, Black, and Hispanic individuals from the U.S. National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, Han identified a particularly concerning trend: transitioning from early standard hours to volatile schedules between ages 22 and 49 was significantly linked to poor health outcomes. This pattern also correlated with reporting poorer health and depressive symptoms at age 50, with effects surpassing those associated with lower education levels or prolonged unemployment.
The study also revealed race- and gender-related disparities, with Black Americans and women experiencing higher risks of health issues associated with irregular work schedules.
While the findings underscore the intersectionality between employment patterns and social position, experts caution that the study demonstrates correlation rather than causation. Nonetheless, the results align with a growing body of evidence highlighting the profound impact of work on health outcomes.
To mitigate the negative effects of irregular work schedules, experts suggest maintaining lifestyle habits conducive to good health, such as regular sleep patterns, healthy eating, exercise, and social engagement. Additionally, optimizing sleep conditions, refraining from late-night eating, and seeking routine health checkups are recommended strategies for promoting overall well-being despite the challenges posed by nonstandard work schedules.
