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Depression (Mood disorder)

Long Working Hours Linked to Mental Health Concerns Amidst Digital Economy Boom

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in a recent study from the Beijing Union University explores the interplay between working hours, internet use, and depressive symptoms among Chinese workers. The study utilized a two-wave longitudinal dataset from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) spanning 2016 to 2018, involving 4,900 workers aged 18-70. The researchers employed cross-lagged panel models and semi-longitudinal mediation models to investigate the bidirectional mechanisms between working hours, internet use, and depressive symptoms.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a positive correlation between working hours and depressive symptoms, indicating that prolonged working hours can lead to mental health issues.
  • Internet use was identified as a mediator in the relationship between working hours and depressive symptoms, suggesting that excessive internet use can buffer the psychological harm of overwork.
  • The research revealed that working hours, internet use, and depressive symptoms showed a dynamic interplay, with working hours positively predicting internet use and depressive symptoms.
  • The study highlighted the importance of understanding the mediating role of internet use in the relationship between working hours and mental health.
  • The Beijing Union University researchers used a dataset from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to examine the dynamic interplay between working hours, internet use, and depressive symptoms.

Statistics:

  • 4,900 workers aged 18-70 participated in the two-wave longitudinal dataset from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS).
  • The study found that working hours positively predicted internet use ( = 0.045) and depressive symptoms.
  • The median age of the participants was 38.2 years.
  • The analysis revealed that internet use effectively buffered the psychological harm of overwork.

Sources:

  • The mediating role of internet use in the relationship between working hours and depressive symptoms: an analysis based on cross-lagged models. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025;16:1656773.
  • Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 575.
  • NewsRx. New Mental Health Diseases and Conditions Findings from Beijing Union University Discussed (The mediating role of internet use in the relationship between working hours and depressive symptoms: an analysis based on cross-lagged models).

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