New study finds that being deeply immersed in your job leads to longer working hours and higher risk of depression

A study published in BMJ Open by Australian researchers reveals that high levels of work engagement may not always be beneficial. The findings indicate that employees who are more engaged tend to work longer hours, which increases their risk of developing symptoms of major depression.

Additionally, the study highlights that working for an organization that neglects mental health triples the likelihood of employees experiencing major depression symptoms.

Psychological research has long explored how various workplace factors, such as job strain and limited decision-making authority, can contribute to depression risk. Amy Jane Zadow and her colleagues suggest that the growing trend of working long hours may also play a significant role in elevating this risk.

To investigate whether extended working hours could predict the onset of major depression symptoms, Zadow and her team conducted a longitudinal study. The research involved 1,084 Australians who worked a minimum of 35 hours per week.

Participants completed assessments at the start of the study and again after one year. They were asked to report their weekly working hours, categorized as 35–40, 41–48, 49–54, or 55 or more hours. The surveys also measured major depressive symptoms, work engagement (e.g., feeling energetic at work), and psychosocial safety climate (e.g., management’s responsiveness to employees’ psychological concerns).

Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the researchers identified new cases of major depression symptoms at the 12-month mark, adjusting for baseline symptoms. When participants with mild depression symptoms were excluded, those working 41–48 hours or more than 55 hours per week showed a heightened risk of developing depression symptoms.

Mediation analysis further revealed that work engagement was linked to a higher risk of depression symptoms through increased working hours, particularly for those working 41–48 hours or more than 55 hours weekly. According to Zadow and her team, this suggests that employees who are deeply absorbed in their work may be more susceptible to depression due to excessive time spent on the job.

The study authors note, “Overly engaged workers might tend to become workaholics, ignoring early signs of depressed mood, continuing to work, and eventually developing major depressive disorders.” This indicates that feeling engaged and energized at work does not shield employees from the psychological toll of working long hours.

Another significant finding emerged from the analysis: employees working in organizations with a poor psychosocial safety climate—where mental health is not prioritized—faced three times the risk of developing major depression symptoms. The researchers emphasize that a workplace’s commitment to mental health likely influences other factors that can impact depression, such as workload, pressure, and harassment.

While many organizations promote employee engagement as a way to enhance well-being and performance, the study authors warn that this approach may not be ideal. They state, “These findings are important because they suggest that policymakers and clinicians should focus on improving the psychological health climate and consider the potential consequences of prioritizing and rewarding work engagement to prevent new cases of major depression.”

The study has some limitations. For instance, employees from organizations with high psychosocial safety climate scores were more likely to drop out of the study, potentially underrepresenting individuals with major depression symptoms in such workplaces.

The research, titled “Predicting new major depression symptoms from long working hours, psychosocial safety climate and work engagement: a population-based cohort study,” was authored by Amy Jane Zadow, Maureen F. Dollard, Christian Dormann, and Paul Landsbergis.

Sources - 

https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/6/e044133