Seasonal changes in mood and behavior in relation to work conditions among the general population

Abstract

This study explored seasonal changes in mood and behavior in relation to work conditions. For the 4850 participants, who were 30-64 years of age, had a current profession, and participated in a nationwide population-based study in Finland, data on both the work conditions and seasonal changes in mood and behavior were valid and available for 3623 persons. The participants were divided into groups of indoor and outdoor workers and those working office hours and those not working office hours. There was no difference in the seasonal changes in mood and behavior between the indoor and outdoor workers, except with respect to social activity among the women. The women working indoors reported more extensive seasonal changes in social activity than those working outdoors (P=0.008). There was no difference between the daytime workers and those working nonstandard hours, except that the men working evening and night shifts had more extensive seasonal changes in general (P=0.0001). Working indoors has a limited effect on seasonal changes in mood and behavior, whereas working evening and night shifts is associated with extensive seasonal changes among men in particular.