The association between work-life conflict and mental health - A cohort study

TY - JOUR

T1 - The association between work-life conflict and mental health - A cohort study

AU - Thorup, Lotte

AU - Sørensen, Christine Leonhard Birk

AU - Biering, Karin

N1 - Copyright © 2025 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

PY - 2025/5/1

Y1 - 2025/5/1

N2 - Objective Mental health problems are increasing worldwide, and research has shown that it can be affected by work-life conflict (WLC). The aim of the present study is to examine the association between WLC and both stress and depressive symptoms in early adulthood. Methods A cross-sectional and a 4-year follow-up study was conducted using register data and questionnaire data from The West Jutland Cohort Study (VestLiv), Denmark. A total of 1296 individuals (age 28) were included in 2017, and 679 were included in 2021. Validated scales were used to measure both WLC, stress, and depressive symptoms. Linear and logistic regression were performed. Results An association was found between WLC and both stress and depressive symptoms in both genders. Conclusions It is relevant to consider WLC a contributing factor for mental health of individuals in today's workforce.

AB - Objective Mental health problems are increasing worldwide, and research has shown that it can be affected by work-life conflict (WLC). The aim of the present study is to examine the association between WLC and both stress and depressive symptoms in early adulthood. Methods A cross-sectional and a 4-year follow-up study was conducted using register data and questionnaire data from The West Jutland Cohort Study (VestLiv), Denmark. A total of 1296 individuals (age 28) were included in 2017, and 679 were included in 2021. Validated scales were used to measure both WLC, stress, and depressive symptoms. Linear and logistic regression were performed. Results An association was found between WLC and both stress and depressive symptoms in both genders. Conclusions It is relevant to consider WLC a contributing factor for mental health of individuals in today's workforce.

KW - Mental health

KW - cohort

KW - depressive symptoms

KW - stress

KW - survey

KW - work-life balance

KW - work-life conflict

KW - mental health

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85215555787&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003313

DO - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003313

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39793020

SN - 1076-2752

VL - 67

SP - 313

EP - 321

JO - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

JF - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

IS - 5

M1 - 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003313

ER -