The Impact of Long Working Hours on Cognitive Function: A Follow-Up Study with Gender Stratification

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 727-734
Author(s):  
Seunghyun Lee ◽  
Joon Yul Choi ◽  
Wanhyung Lee

Background: Recent studies have shown that long working hours can have adverse consequences on health and possibly trigger biological processes that mediate the relationship between long working hours and cognitive decline. Objective: To investigate whether long working hours and the overall duration such exposure is associated with a decline in cognitive function. Methods: Data obtained during the Korean Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 2,518) during the period 2006–2018 were used to explore the relationship between long working hours and cognitive decline. Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) scores were used to evaluate cognitive function. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), which were used to evaluate declines in K-MMSE scores over the 12-year study period. Results: Overall HR (95% CI) for a decline in cognitive function in long working hours group was 1.13 (0.73–1.17). When categorized by sex, women with long working hours had an HR (95% CI) of 1.50 (1.05–2.22), K-MMSE scores decreased significantly after working long hours for 5 years (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study furthers understanding of the effects of long working hours on cognitive decline among female workers. Further research is required to determine the effects of long working hours on cognitive functions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 474-474
Author(s):  
Alison Huang ◽  
George Rebok ◽  
Bonnielin Swenor ◽  
Jayant Pinto ◽  
Linda Waite ◽  
...  

Abstract Hearing and vision impairment have been independently linked to accelerated cognitive decline in older adults, however there is limited evidence on the effect of dual sensory impairment (DSI) (both hearing and vision impairment) on cognition. Additionally, the impact of social isolation and loneliness, both correlates of DSI and independent risk factors for cognitive decline, on the DSI-cognition relationship has yet to be studied. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N=3,091), multivariable linear regression models were used to describe the cross-sectional relationship between self-reported functional sensory impairment (none, hearing only, vision only, DSI) and cognitive function, measured by the survey adapted Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We also included an interaction term in the model to investigate whether cognition is worse among older adults with sensory impairment who also are socially isolated or lonely. Participants in this sample are between 62-91 years with 15% reporting hearing impairment, 11% reporting vision impairment, and 7% reporting DSI. DSI was associated with significantly lower global cognitive function compared to no sensory impairment (-0.31 standard deviations (SD), 95% CI:-0.44 to-0.18), hearing impairment alone (-0.29 SD, 95% CI: -0.44 to -0.15), and vision impairment alone (-0.22 SD, 95% CI: -0.39 to -0.06). Furthermore, cognitive function was significantly worse among older adults with both DSI and smaller social networks (p-interaction &lt;0.05). No differences in the DSI-cognition relationship were observed by level of loneliness. These findings add to the limited research on the relationship between DSI, social isolation and loneliness, and cognition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Stadler ◽  
Annika Schönauer ◽  
Anna Arlinghaus ◽  
Berhard Saupe ◽  
Hubert Eichmann

Der Einfluss atypischer, d.h. langer oder außerhalb der üblichen Zeiten liegender Arbeitszeiten auf Gesundheit und Unfallrisiken ist gut belegt. Weniger umfassend dokumentiert ist der Zusammenhang zwischen atypischen Arbeitszeiten und den Möglichkeiten zu sozialer Teilhabe. In diesem Beitrag präsentieren wir Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Erhebung zu arbeitszeitbedingten Beeinträchtigungen sozialer Teilhabe in Österreich. Ziel der explorativ angelegten Untersuchung war, die Zusammenhänge zwischen langen Arbeitszeiten, Arbeit zu Randzeiten (Abend, Wochenende, Nacht) sowie eigenen Einflussmöglichkeiten und Planbarkeit der Arbeitszeit mit der sozialen Teilhabe der Beschäftigten zu untersuchen. Insbesondere atypische Lagen von Arbeitszeiten und fremdgesteuerte Flexibilität – im Sinne schlechter Planbarkeit der Arbeitsanforderungen – können die soziale Teilhabe negativ beeinflussen. The influence of atypical working hours, i.e. long working hours or working hours outside the usual hours, on health and accident risks is well documented. Less well documented is the relationship between atypical working hours and the opportunities for social participation. In this paper we present the results of a qualitative survey on work-time related impairments of social participation in Austria. The aim of the exploratory study was to identify possible indicators for a future measurement of the impact of atypical working hours on social participation. On the basis of case studies in companies in several sectors, it becomes clear that atypical working time situations and externally controlled flexibility - in the sense of poor planning of working hours - have a particularly negative impact on social participation.


2020 ◽  
pp. 101053952096171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongnam Hwang ◽  
Seongju Kim ◽  
Sujin Kim

This study aimed to investigate whether (1) depression is associated with cognitive decline in Korean older adults and (2) the relationship between depression and cognitive function varies by gender. Using Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data of 2006 to 2014, we studied 1787 adults aged 65 years or older who had normal cognitive function at baseline. This study examined the effects of depression on cognitive decline by using an interaction term of baseline depression and time, and compared relationships by gender. Among male participants, K-MMSE (Korean-Mini-Mental Status Examination) scores decreased with age, at an annual rate of approximately 0.465 points. Baseline depression was found to accelerate the decline in cognitive function, by approximately 0.184 points per year. Among female participants, K-MMSE scores decreased with age, at an annual rate of approximately 0.585 points. Baseline depression was not related to the decline in cognitive function. These results suggest the need for community-based programs to increase awareness of mental health problems need to be developed to encourage the use of health services to prevent or delay cognitive decline in older Korean males.


2020 ◽  
pp. 101053952097992
Author(s):  
Soojung Kim ◽  
Youn Jung

This study aimed to examine the association between working hours and onset of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) using a prospective study design. We used the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) data from 2006 to 2016. A total of 2405 workers who were working 35 hours or more per week and who did not have CVD at baseline were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard model was used for the analysis to determine the association between working hours per week at baseline and the new onset of CVD. In addition, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the relationship between average working hours throughout the entire follow-up period and the risk of CVD (N = 1134). Working above 52 hours per week at baseline was related to higher risk of CVD than working between 35 and 40 hours a week (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60-2.70 for 52-60 hours; HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.05-1.81 for >60 hours). A worker’s average working hours throughout the following period were also significantly associated with elevated risks of CVD (odds ratio = 4.40, 95% CI = 1.58-12.22 for >60 hours). The findings underline the need for more proactive interventions to protect the health of workers exposed to long working hours.


2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 2485-2494 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Virtanen ◽  
J. E. Ferrie ◽  
A. Singh-Manoux ◽  
M. J. Shipley ◽  
S. A. Stansfeld ◽  
...  

BackgroundAlthough long working hours are common in working populations, little is known about the effect of long working hours on mental health.MethodWe examined the association between long working hours and the onset of depressive and anxiety symptoms in middle-aged employees. Participants were 2960 full-time employees aged 44 to 66 years (2248 men, 712 women) from the prospective Whitehall II cohort study of British civil servants. Working hours, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and covariates were measured at baseline (1997–1999) followed by two subsequent measurements of depressive and anxiety symptoms (2001 and 2002–2004).ResultsIn a prospective analysis of participants with no depressive (n=2549) or anxiety symptoms (n=2618) at baseline, Cox proportional hazard analysis adjusted for baseline covariates showed a 1.66-fold [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.61] risk of depressive symptoms and a 1.74-fold (95% CI 1.15–2.61) risk of anxiety symptoms among employees working more than 55 h/week compared with employees working 35–40 h/week. Sex-stratified analysis showed an excess risk of depression and anxiety associated with long working hours among women [hazard ratios (HRs) 2.67 (95% CI 1.07–6.68) and 2.84 (95% CI 1.27–6.34) respectively] but not men [1.30 (0.77–2.19) and 1.43 (0.89–2.30)].ConclusionsWorking long hours is a risk factor for the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms in women.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412199697
Author(s):  
Laura Quiun ◽  
Marta Herrero ◽  
Maria del Carmen Yeo Ayala ◽  
Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez

Background Considering the importance of entrepreneurship and the impact of burnout on workers’ health, this study aims to explore the presence of burnout in entrepreneurs and the interaction of hardy personality (HP) in this process. Method The sample included 255 Spanish entrepreneurs. Occupational factors, working hours, labour immersion, HP, burnout syndrome (i.e. Emotional exhaustion, Depersonalization and Lack of accomplishment) and burnout consequences were assessed. Results Descriptive analysis showed that entrepreneurs had low levels of occupational factors, burnout syndrome and consequences. Hierarchical regression exploratory results indicated that working hours, labour immersion, and Emotional exhaustion were the most relevant predictors of the consequences. Besides, mediation models with PROCESS macro (v.3.0) highlighted the indirect effect of occupational factors and showed that emotional exhaustion was the only component of burnout that mediated in between the predictors and the consequences. As well, HP moderated the relationship between occupational factors and emotional exhaustion. Conclusions Occupational factors are the main predictor of burnout in entrepreneurs and HP could prevent their effect on Emotional exhaustion. The results suggest the importance of training to promote HP for better health and performance of entrepreneurs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaís Bento Lima-Silva ◽  
Mônica Sanches Yassuda

Abstract Normal aging can be characterized by a gradual decline in some cognitive functions, such as memory. Memory complaints are common among older adults, and may indicate depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline. Objectives: To investigate the association between memory complaints and age in cognitively unimpaired older adults, and the relationship between memory complaints and memory performance. Methods: Cognitive screening tests as well as memory complaint questionnaires validated for the Brazilian population were used: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q), Memory test of 18 pictures, Forward and Backward Digit Span (WAIS-III). Fifty seven regular members of the SESC social club participated (50 women), having a mean age of 71.4 years, and 4 to 8 years of education - 34 from 4 to 7 years and 23 with 8 years of education. Results: Results revealed no significant association between cognitive complaints and age or cognitive performance. Older participants in this sample did not show worse performance or a higher level of complaints. There was no significant association between age and GDS scores. Conclusions: The studied sample constitutes a particular group of older adults whose participation in activities may be protecting them from cognitive decline, thus highlighting the impact of lifestyle on cognitive performance during the aging process.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Young Lee ◽  
Eunhi Choi ◽  
Sung-Ho Lim ◽  
Hyoung-Ah Kim ◽  
Hye-Sun Jung

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii5-ii7
Author(s):  
V Ho ◽  
C Chen ◽  
R A Merchant

Abstract Introduction Handgrip strength (HGS) is increasingly used to estimate overall muscle strength. Association between low HGS and cognitive decline has been well documented. Recently, McGrath’s team elucidated a new dimension of HGS asymmetry with important implications on physical and cognitive limitations. It is unclear if these effects can be generalised. The Asian working group for sarcopenia (AWGS) has called for ‘special considerations’ due to ‘anthropometric and cultural or lifestyle-related differences’6. Hence, we aim to investigate if HGS asymmetry is associated with cognition in Asians. Methodology We defined sarcopenia by AWGS consensus: HGS &lt;28 kg for men; &lt;18 kg for women. Asymmetry was HGS &gt;10% stronger on either hand; relative HGS was HGS adjusted for BMI. Low cognitive function was defined as MMSE&lt;26. We compared weakness alone, any HGS asymmetry or relative HGS alone and combination of weakness and HGS asymmetry or relative HGS asymmetry. Each model was adjusted for demographic characteristics, hand dominance, obesity, frailty, physical activity, depression and perceived health status. Results 738 Asian subjects participated. Mean age 70.8 ± 0.2 years, 45.1% males, 82.5% Chinese. More than 50% have multimorbidity. 5.4% were frail. Mean BMI 24.4 ± 0.1 kg/m2. Mean HGS 22.6 ± 0.3. 93 (12.7%) had symmetrical HGS and not weak, 59 (7.8%) asymmetrical and not weak, 321 (43.6%) symmetrical and weak, 265 (35.9%) asymmetrical and weak. Mean MMSE scores for weakness alone, asymmetry alone and combined weakness and asymmetry are 26.6 ± 0.1, 26.8 ± 0.2 and 26.5 ± 0.2 respectively. HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with better cognitive function OR 0.66 (95%CI: 0.30–1.44). Combined asymmetry and weakness was non-significantly linked to worse cognition OR 2.14 (95%CI: 0.79–5.82). We found relative HGS to be protective for cognitive decline, OR 0.31 (95%CI: 0.12–0.78, p = 0.012). Conclusion Our study highlights the impact of ethnicity in sarcopenia research. Our population shows association of relative HGS with cognition. Further longitudinal studies are needed.


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