Shift Work and Poor Mental Health: Meta‑Analysis of Longitudinal Studies
Summary
This meta-analysis combined results from 7 longitudinal studies with over 28,000 workers to examine the link between shift work and mental health. Compared to day workers, shift workers had a 28% higher risk of poor mental health overall and a 33% higher risk of depressive symptoms. Gender differences were important: women working shifts had a 73% higher risk of depression than women on day schedules. The studies varied in design and outcomes, but overall the results support a connection between shift work and poorer long-term mental health.
Why It Matters For Night Shift Workers and Night Owls
This research shows that working shifts can increase the risk of mental health problems, especially depression — and women appear to be more vulnerable. Because the analysis drew from long-term studies, the findings suggest the impact isn’t just short-term stress but a lasting risk. For workers, this highlights the value of prioritizing recovery time, sleep consistency, and mental health support. For employers, it underlines that mental health is a workplace issue: shift schedules and support systems can directly affect staff well-being over time.
Notes
Longitudinal focus strengthens inference.