Evening Types Face Greater Mental Health Challenges and Work-Life Imbalance
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland highlights significant disparities in mental health and work-life balance between individuals with different circadian rhythms, particularly those who are extreme evening types.
The research, published in the journal Sleep Health, found that evening-oriented individuals experience higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms compared to morning types. They also report greater difficulty recovering from work and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Yle reports that these challenges contribute to lower work endurance and a higher likelihood of work spilling into personal time.
Ilona Merikanto, adjunct professor in public health and lead researcher of the study, suggests that societal rhythms may be misaligned with the natural patterns of evening types. "Most likely, the issue is that society’s rhythm is not optimal for evening types. This manifests in several negative factors, such as sleep deprivation, which together erode work capacity and well-being," she explains. The study also notes that extreme evening types—those whose peak performance occurs late in the evening—are particularly vulnerable, with approximately 14% of the population falling into this category. The proportion of extreme evening types has increased slightly among adults since the 2000s, with a marginally higher prevalence among women.
The research, which drew data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare’s Healthy Finland survey, divided working-age participants into three groups: morning types, evening types, and intermediate types. Ilta-Sanomat adds that the study examined symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as the extent to which work encroaches on leisure time and the quality of recovery from work. The findings underscore a growing concern in Finland, where mental health issues among the working-age population are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Merikanto emphasizes the importance of identifying those most at risk to address inequalities in working life. "This way, we can begin to address the fact that there is currently so much inequality in working life in this regard," she states. The study also suggests that poor recovery from work and difficulties balancing professional and personal life are key factors linking evening orientation to anxiety disorders.
Further research by the University of Helsinki aims to explore the underlying causes of these disparities, including the combined effects of various risk factors. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to support evening types in achieving better work-life balance and mental well-being.
