The role of recovery from work and work-life spillover in the association between chronotype and mental health problems: A population-based study

Abstract Objective We examined the moderating and mediating role of work-life balance issues on mental health among circadian types using 2266 working participants of the population-based Healthy Finland Study (mean age=44 years, 57% women). Methods Mental health was assessed with validated questionnaires: Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), General Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9), a separate item for suicidal thoughts, and as actualized healthcare visits. Circadian type was assessed by the widely used single item from the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQi19). Work-life balance was measured by questions on work spillover to personal life and recovery from work. Generalized linear models were controlled for sex, age, sleep insufficiency, insufficient physical activity, and risky alcohol consumption. Results Evening-types had more work-life balance issues and symptoms of mental disorders. Evening-type was also associated with health behaviors but the associations with work-life balance problems and poor mental health remained even after adjustment for these. Work spillover to personal life and poor recovery from work had moderating roles in mental disorders, especially among moderate circadian types and definite Evening-types. Recovery from work partly mediated the association between Evening-type and anxiety disorders. Conclusion Work-life balance issues have an important contributing role in poor mental health associated with the Evening chronotype.