A gendered association between non-standard working hours and mental health in deprived neighborhoods

Abstract Background Nonstandard working hours (early, evening, night, weekend) have increased in the last decade among workers in lower-qualification occupations. Although they may be more affected by this increase, persons living in deprived neighbourhoods could be under-represented in surveys because of participation biases. Our study aims at describing the level of nonstandard working hours and its association with mental health in three deprived neighbourhoods in greater Paris area, according to gender. Methods Our participatory project involves researchers and a community-based organisation (VoisinMalin). A survey was conducted in 2024 by inhabitants trained in outreach and questionnaire administration. We described the study population by sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, nonstandard working hours and mental health (WHO5) according to gender. We further investigated the determinants of poor mental health using multivariate logistic regressions. Results A total of 462 persons participated in the survey, 53% of whom where women. Among the working population sub-sample, 73.4% had at least one type of non-standard working hour (78.3% among men, 67.5% among women). Poor mental health was 19.7% among men and 29.6% among women. Among men, night work was associated with poor mental health. Among women, non-standard working hours were associated with better mental health. In multivariate analysis, this association remained among women (aOR non-standard working hours=0.29, p < 0.016). Another protective factor was neighbourhood network (aOR=0.32, p < 0.016). A low level of education and lack of work-personal life conciliation tended to be associated with a higher probability of poor mental health. Conclusions We found different associations of nonstandard working hours on mental health according to gender. Further analysis should investigate whether the association between mental health and nonstandard working hours is due to better work-personal life conciliation. Key messages • People living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods are frequently exposed to non-standard working hours, with different patterns between men and women. • Among women non-standard working hours were associated with better mental health, which could be due to better work-life conciliation. The neighbourhood network was also protective of mental health.