1
|
Leu J, Rebello SA, Sargent GM, Kelly M, Banwell C. Hard work, long hours, and Singaporean young adults' health-A qualitative study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1082581. [PMID: 37377556 PMCID: PMC10291095 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1082581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As young adults in their 20s to 30s transitioning toward new careers and independence, their dietary and physical activity practices often change, increasing their risk of weight gain. This study explored the ways that Singaporean young adults perceived and experienced the interaction between their working hours, work, and health practices. Methods This research used semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives and experiences of participants. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit 15 men and 18 women, aged 23 to 36, who had worked full-time at their respective jobs in Singapore for at least 1 year. An inductive and deductive thematic analysis approach was employed. Results Young working adults' commitment to work was driven by a hard-working culture, a desire to attain better jobs and remuneration, and to fulfill cultural expectations to support their multi-generation families. Their non-work time was largely spent recuperating from work by socializing over food and in sedentary activities. Conclusion For young working adults, long work hours are normalized, even though they are a barrier to healthy diets and physical activity. Existing social and institutional norms support a culture that values commitment to work and encourages young adults to devote long hours to building a sound financial future and achieving personal and cultural aspirations. These findings have implications for long-term population health and should be considered in health promotion activities targeting young adults and barriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Leu
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Salome A. Rebello
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ginny M. Sargent
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Matthew Kelly
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Cathy Banwell
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ha R, Park JB, Lee KJ, Choi S, Jeong I. Association between change in working time arrangements and sleep disturbance. Ann Occup Environ Med 2020; 32:e18. [PMID: 32676196 PMCID: PMC7332351 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Change in working time arrangement (WTA) can be harmful to workers' sleep and health. This study aimed to investigate the association between change in working time arrangement and sleep disturbance. METHODS This study used data from the Fifth Korean Working Condition Survey and included 33,203 paid workers. We performed a stratified analysis by sex. After dividing the participants into 6 groups based on whether or not they experienced WTA changes, and their weekly working hours (≤40, 41-52, ≥53 hours), we calculated odds ratio (OR) using the weekly working hours ≤40 hours and with no WTA change as the reference group. RESULTS Of the 33,203 paid workers, participants who experienced change in working time arrangement had higher prevalence of all three types of sleep disturbance symptoms (difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during sleep, and waking up with a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue) in both sexes. Compared to the reference group at 95% confidence interval (CI), the group with change in WTA showed elevated OR values of 1.91 (95% CI: 1.73-2.11), 1.93 (95% CI: 1.74-2.14), 2.47 (95% CI: 2.26-2.71) for male workers; and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.73-2.16), 2.02 (95% CI: 1.80-2.27), 2.24 (95% CI: 2.01-2.50) for female workers, for difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly during the sleep, waking up with a feeling of exhaustion, and fatigue, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Workers who experience change in work time arrangement show a high risk of sleep disturbance in both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryun Ha
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jae Bum Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Kyung-Jong Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sunguk Choi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea
| | - Inchul Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an m-Health Intervention Targeting Physical Activity, Diet, and Sleep Quality in Shift-Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16203810. [PMID: 31658624 PMCID: PMC6843501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16203810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Poor health behaviors are prevalent in shift-workers, but few multiple health-behavior interventions consider their unique needs. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an existing app-based intervention to improve physical activity, diet, and sleep quality in a shift-worker population, (2) estimate intervention effect in a four-week pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) (ACTRN12618001785291). Shift-workers (18–65 years old) were randomized to intervention (n = 20) or wait-list (n = 20) groups. Outcomes included recruitment, engagement, attrition, usefulness ratings, System Usability Scale (SUS), qualitative interviews, and estimation of treatment effect (minutes of physical activity, diet quality, and sleep quality) using mixed model analysis. Recruitment took one week. App-use at week four was 55% (11/20), 85% (34/40) completed the four-week follow-up questionnaire, and 20% (4/20) of the intervention group completed the qualitative interview. The intervention was rated as slightly to moderately useful by 76.9% (10/13) of participants on a five-point scale. The SUS score was 62.7 (12.7) out of 100. Diet quality improved for the intervention (4.5 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1, 8.9; p = 0.047) vs. the wait-list group, but not physical activity or sleep quality. Qualitative interviews found that a more tailored intervention, more accessible information, and interactive features were desired. The intervention was feasible in terms of recruitment, but modifications to increase engagement are needed.
Collapse
|
4
|
Winkler MR, Mason S, Laska MN, Christoph MJ, Neumark-Sztainer D. Does non-standard work mean non-standard health? Exploring links between non-standard work schedules, health behavior, and well-being. SSM Popul Health 2018; 4:135-143. [PMID: 29349282 PMCID: PMC5769120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The last century has seen dramatic shifts in population work circumstances, leading to an increasing normalization of non-standard work schedules (NSWSs), defined as non-daytime, irregular hours. An ever-growing body of evidence links NSWSs to a host of non-communicable chronic conditions; yet, these associations primarily concentrate on the physiologic mechanisms created by circadian disruption and insufficient sleep. While important, not all NSWSs create such chronobiologic disruption, and other aspects of working time and synchronization could be important to the relationships between work schedules and chronic disease. Leveraging survey data from Project EAT, a population-based study with health-related behavioral and psychological data from U.S. adults aged 25-36 years, this study explored the risks for a broad range of less healthful behavioral and well-being outcomes among NSWS workers compared to standard schedule workers (n = 1402). Variations across different NSWSs (evening, night/rotating, and irregular schedules) were also explored. Results indicated that, relative to standard schedule workers, workers with NSWSs are at increased risk for non-optimal sleep, substance use, greater recreational screen time, worse dietary practices, obesity, and depression. There was minimal evidence to support differences in relative risks across workers with different types of NSWSs. The findings provide insight into the potential links between NSWSs and chronic disease and indicate the relevancy social disruption and daily health practices may play in the production of health and well-being outcomes among working populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan R. Winkler
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Major ME, Vézina N. The Organization of Working Time: Developing an Understanding and Action Plan to Promote Workers' Health in a Seasonal Work Context: L'organisation temporelle du travail: la comprendre pour développer des actions favorisant la santé des travailleuses en contexte de travail saisonnier. New Solut 2017; 27:403-423. [PMID: 28823234 DOI: 10.1177/1048291117725712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the health problems associated with irregular schedules and long working hours, few studies have focused on the temporal dimension of work in seasonal working contexts. Through the monitoring of sixteen seasonal workers in the crab-processing industry over a two-year period, this study aimed to better understand their working reality and to provide a detailed picture of the temporal dimension of seasonal work as experienced by these workers. Observations of the work activity, interviews, and analysis of official documents were carried out. The findings reveal that the organization of working time and working conditions are very restrictive. These constraints are linked not only to the work environment and management but also to various public policies and ministerial directives. Methodological elements essential for the study of the organization of working time have been identified and could contribute to a better understanding of temporal constraints experienced by seasonal workers. Résumé Malgré les problèmes de santé associés aux horaires non standards et aux longues heures de travail, peu d'études se sont attardées à dégager un portrait de la dimension temporelle du travail en contexte de travail saisonnier. Par le suivi de 16 travailleuses saisonnières de l'industrie de la transformation du crabe pendant deux années, cette étude visait à mieux comprendre leur réalité de travail et à dresser un portrait détaillé de la dimension temporelle du travail saisonnier tel que vécu par ces travailleuses. Des observations du travail, des entretiens et l'analyse de documents ont été réalisés. Les résultats révèlent une organisation temporelle et des conditions de travail fort contraignantes pour ces travailleuses liées, entre autres, à l'environnement et à la gestion du travail, mais également à diverses politiques publiques et consignes ministérielles. Des éléments méthodologiques essentiels pour l'étude des temps de travail ont également été identifiés et contribueront à mieux cerner les contraintes temporelles des situations de travail vécues par les travailleuses saisonnières.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Vézina
- 2 14845 Université du Québec à Montréal , Canada, Québec
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Törnquist Agosti M, Bringsén Å, Andersson I. The complexity of resources related to work-life balance and well-being – a survey among municipality employees in Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2017.1340323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Madelaine Törnquist Agosti
- School of Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Åsa Bringsén
- School of Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Ingemar Andersson
- School of Health and Society, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
De Moortel D, Thévenon O, De Witte H, Vanroelen C. Working Hours Mismatch, Macroeconomic Changes, and Mental Well-being in Europe. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 58:217-231. [PMID: 28661780 DOI: 10.1177/0022146517706532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the association between involuntarily working less or more than the standard workweek and poor mental well-being, and whether this relationship is dependent upon (changing) national-level unemployment and gross domestic product growth rates. Data from the European Social Survey Round 2 (2004-2005) and Round 5 (2010) were analyzed. The sample included 16,224 male and 16,184 female employees. Mental well-being was assessed by the World Health Organization Well-being Index. Three-level linear multilevel modeling was used to account for clustering of employees within research years and countries. Working involuntary long hours was positively associated with poor mental well-being for men. For women, working voluntary long, involuntary long, and involuntary short hours were positively associated with poor mental well-being. The mental well-being of women working voluntary and involuntary long hours was negatively influenced by deteriorating economic conditions. This study suggests women are more vulnerable to the effects of long working hours and working hours mismatch on mental well-being, especially during difficult economic periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Thévenon
- 2 French Institute for Demographic Research (INED), Paris, France
- 3 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Paris, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|