As modern work demands continue to escalate, with extended working hours, the expectation of constant availability, and the blurring of professional and personal life, the global workforce is increasingly grappling with the detrimental impacts of workplace stress seeping into their personal lives. This growing concern, often termed a work-to-family spillover, has profound and far-reaching consequences for individuals’ mental health, family dynamics, work productivity, and job satisfaction. In Singapore, where reported stress levels exceed the global average, a significant portion of the workforce experiences mental and physical exhaustion at the end of each workday, indicating a severe imbalance that borders on an ‘epidemic’ of work-life disproportion. This pressing issue underscores the urgent need for effective interventions to mitigate these risks and restore a healthy work-life balance.
Assistant Professor Andree Hartanto has highlighted the limitations of relying solely on self-reported, subjective health measures such as headaches and general fatigue to fully comprehend the breadth of health impacts. He has stressed the importance of physiological changes, particularly those affecting the cardiovascular system, which may go unnoticed due to their often asymptomatic nature until it’s too late. This oversight is particularly concerning given that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). These alarming statistics have spurred Professor Hartanto and his team to delve deeper into the implications of negative work-to-family spillovers on cardiovascular health.
Their research, eloquently titled “Negative Work-to-Family Spillover Stress and Elevated Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Midlife and Older Adults,” and published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, was a collaborative effort that included former undergraduate students from Singapore Management University (SMU). The study utilised data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II Biomarker Project and MIDUS Refresher Biomarker Project, covering 1,179 individuals who were either working or self-employed. The study’s demographic was predominantly Caucasian (89%), with an average participant age of 52.64 years and nearly balanced gender representation, providing a comprehensive and representative sample for detailed analysis.
These participants, who worked an average of 41 hours per week, were subjected to extensive evaluations that included a validated scale for measuring negative work-to-family spillover. They also underwent physical examinations and provided fasting blood samples, which were used to assess critical cardiovascular biomarkers such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein. These biomarkers are indispensable for evaluating cholesterol levels, arterial health, and heart inflammation, which are crucial factors in assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The study’s findings were revealing and somewhat alarming. They demonstrated significant correlations between high levels of negative work-to-family spillover and detrimental cardiovascular biomarker profiles. Specifically, elevated levels of triglycerides, which are linked to arterial hardening, and reduced levels of HDL, associated with high cholesterol, were observed among participants who reported higher levels of work-life imbalance. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for demographic variables, medication usage, health status, and other pertinent health behaviours.
Furthermore, the research also identified a linkage between negative work-to-family spillover and inflammation biomarkers such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. These findings illuminate the broader systemic impact of chronic stress on the body, underscoring the profound physiological implications of work-life imbalance on cardiovascular health.
Professor Hartanto’s study is a crucial call to action for stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, organisational leaders, policymakers, and academic researchers. It advocates for a concerted effort to promote healthier work-life balances, aiming not only to enhance mental well-being and family relationships but also to mitigate substantial risks to physical health, thereby reducing the prevalence and burden of cardiovascular diseases among working populations. This comprehensive approach is essential for fostering a healthier, more productive workforce that can thrive professionally and personally.
More information: Andree Hartanto et al, Negative work-to-family spillover stress and heightened cardiovascular risk biomarkers in midlife and older adults, Journal of Psychosomatic Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111594
Journal information: Journal of Psychosomatic Research Provided by Singapore Management University