Association between long working hours and the onset of problematic alcohol use in young workers: A population-based longitudinal analysis in South Korea

Background: Long working hours can negatively impact mental health. We examined the association between long working hours and problematic alcohol use among young Korean workers. Methods: We included a nationally representative sample of workers below the age of 40 from the Youth Panel between 2016 and 2020 (N = 7846; observations: 27,646). The exposure variable was working hours per week. Problematic alcohol use was assessed using the CAGE questionnaire, and generalized estimating equations were used to account for repeated measurements. Results: Observations of the participants revealed that 5 % worked < 35 h/week, 51 % worked 35–40 h/week, 24 % worked 41–48 h/week, 11 % worked 49–54 h/week, and 9 % worked ≥55 h/week. The prevalence of problematic alcohol use among the workers was 2 % for <35 h/week, 2 % for 35–40 h/week, 3 % for 41–48 h/week, 4 % for 49–54 h/week, and 4 % for ≥55 h/week. The adjusted odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) for the association between working hours per week and the onset of problematic alcohol use in the following year were 0.86 (0.45–1.66) for <35 h, 1.56 (1.22–1.99) for 41–48 h, 2.03 (1.49–2.75) for 49–54 h, and 1.68 (1.17–2.42) for ≥55 h, compared to 35–40 h. Limitations: The observational design of the study prevented the establishment of a causal relationship between working hours and the onset of problematic alcohol use. Conclusion: Long working hours were associated with the development of problematic alcohol use. Policy interventions should promote healthier drinking habits among workers with long work hours.