A South Korean study has identified and compared the associations between long working hours, the use of work-related devices after hours, and anxiety symptoms.
Out of the 46,055 study participants, 55.7% used work-related communication devices outside of regular working hours, 17.7% worked long hours, and 5.8% experienced anxiety symptoms.
Compared to the reference group, individuals who used work-related communication devices after hours but didn’t work long hours had a higher likelihood of anxiety symptoms than those who worked long hours without using such devices after hours.
Additionally, individuals who both worked long hours and used work-related communication devices after hours showed the highest likelihood of anxiety symptoms.
This has led researchers to conclude using work-related communication devices outside of working hours poses a greater risk of anxiety symptoms compared to working long hours alone and suggests when considering changes to work hours, the use of devices outside of hours should be considered.