Odd Work Hours Could Impact Mental Health, Research Shows

More research shows working odd hours can impact your mental well being.

The time of day you work could affect your mental health, especially for shift workers.

New data from the National Health Interview Survey shows in general 2.7% of working adults experience serious psychological distress at their jobs.

That number jumped to almost 4.8% for workers on evening and night shifts and 3.9% for those on rotating shifts.

Poor work conditions, non-flexible hours, job insecurity and monthly changes in pay were some of the distressing factors.

The survey also shows working adults who did not have paid sick leave had more serious psychological distress.

Previous research links shift work to increased risk of physical health problems as well.

A study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows an association between shift work and higher risk of heart attack and diabetes.

Shift workers are estimated to be about 25% of the U.S. population.