Relationship between Telework Jetlag and Perceived Psychological Distress among Japanese Hybrid Workers

Abstract

Social jetlag is associated with physical and mental health problems. With the increased popularity of telework, we investigated a specific form of social jetlag that we termed “telework jetlag”. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between telework jetlag—the difference in sleep and wake-up times between in-office and telework days—and mental health problems among Japanese hybrid workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1789 participants from October to December 2021 using an online-based questionnaire. Telework jetlag, defined as the difference in the midsleep point between in-office and telework days, was investigated using two groups according to telework jetlag—those lagging <1 h versus ≥1 h. We used the six-item Kessler Scale as a nonspecific psychological distress scale for the outcome. Telework jetlag was significantly associated with psychological distress, and the ≥1 h group had a higher risk (odds ratio: 1.80) of developing high psychological distress (HPD) than the <1 h group in the multivariate analysis. Since most teleworkers are forced to have a hybrid work style that mixes going to work and teleworking, telework jetlag must be addressed to maintain the health of teleworkers.

Keywords

• telework
• social jetlag
• sleep
• midsleep point
• psychological distress
• mental health