Computers 'put workers at risk of mental illness'

The Daily Telegraph ^ | December 31, 2002 | The Daily Telegraph

[MadIvan]

Spending just five hours a day in front of a computer can hugely increase the risk of depression and insomnia, according to new research.

One of the biggest investigations into the hazards of computers in the workplace, involving 25,000 people, has concluded that too much screen time is damaging the mental health of employees.

Staff complained of feeling depressed, anxious and reluctant to get up for work in the mornings. Many reported problems getting along with fellow workers and said they were plagued by broken sleep and daytime fatigue.

Researchers are calling for employers to restrict time spent at terminals after studying the effects health over a three-year period.

"This result suggests the prevention of mental disorders and sleep disorders requires the restriction of computer use to less than five hours a day," said the lead researcher, Dr Tetsuya Nakazawa, of Chiba University in Japan.

"Mental health and sleep-related symptoms were significantly higher in the group having more than five hours of daily computer use."

Most research has so far focused on how computers affect physical health. Sitting at terminals has been linked with repetitive strain injury, headaches, eyestrain and back and shoulder pain.

But the latest study looked for psychological effects by tracking thousands of office staff working for a large information technology company in sales, customer services, accounting and planning.

For three years, researchers monitored changes in workers' mental health and matched them up to time spent working at computers.

The results, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, showed one in four staff was tied to their terminals for five or more hours a day. Once they crossed that threshold, the dangers of psychological disorders setting in appeared to increase sharply.

British experts said that working alone at a computer for hours on end could lead to a sense of isolation, even in a busy office.

Prof Cary Cooper, of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, said concern was growing over mental health problems caused by working with computers.

"This new technology is causing problems," he said. "Sitting in front of a computer takes you away from fellow human beings."

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said employers had a duty under the Health and Safety Act 1974 to protect the mental as well as physical health of staff.

[MadIvan]

Sorry, couldn't resist. Have at it then. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[JRandomFreeper]

Everyone knows that IT personnel are half a bubble off to start with. Correlation does not equal causation. 8>)

/john (former IT geek, studying to be a cook)

[gov_bean_ counter]

"This new technology is causing problems,"

It darn sure is. I can't figure out those new fangled automatic cup holders. Blasted things keep breaking off and getting coffee all over my keyboard.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Everyone knows that IT personnel are half a bubble off to start with.

But not everyone spending time in front of a computer is an IT geek. I'd venture to say that there are more non-IT folks spending time in front of computers than there are IT folks in front of them (ie, secretaries (or admin assistants as the PC term is), customer service folks, and the like.

[Objective Reality]

Well, I suppose it depends entirely upon what one does at the terminal. I find what I do, programming, quite interesting, especially being self-taught. It's like toying with a puzzle all day, with my own little rodent-pellet being the joy of figuring something out.

I could see being driven mad doing mind-numbing data-entry or the like for eight hours a day. I frankly wouldn't do it - I'd get a vo-tec student loan and learn how to fix air conditioners or work with electricity or plumbing or the like. The money would be worlds better, and you'd pretty much dictate your own schedule.

All that aside, the computer still represents the greatest quantum leap in productivity achieved since the abacus. It's going nowhere.

[dalereed]

Spend way more than 5 hours a day and haven't suffered any of the mentioned problems.

As far as sleep, all my life, all I had to do is lay down and i'm sound asleep within 2 to 3 minutes. Even if the intent was to watch TV.

The only depressing part is finding out how bad our government is screwing us by reading all the posts on FR!

[Billthedrill]

Simple relaxation techniques alleviate this problem considerably. I find that if I clean my guns and relax by mixing homemade explosives in my kitchen, then the voices in my head stop telling me to kill my coworkers. It almost always works.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I could see being driven mad doing mind-numbing data-entry or the like for eight hours a day.

I'd say carpal tunnel probably sets in before insanity.

[lizma]

Jeez. It wasn't until a hundred + years ago that mankind had to worry if it didn't rain or it rained too much, they would starve to death. (Granted some still do.)

Can you imagine how depressed our ancestors must have become, facing life and death almost on a daily basis? They beat out the computer whiners hands down.

But although we may have become a whee more whiny, I think it's our affluence that leads us to be afflicted with these sorts of study. We can actually afford to pay people to research and print this dribble!

[Happygal]

Personally, I'm more frustrated that my company does not/will not/cannot keep up with the technology that I want to have an efficient work space.

I work like a computer these days.

I get my tasks..work them out, write my pieces...and punch 'em out. (That's what they want of me, eh?)

My creative stuff is stored on my current knackered computer memory...and that's the one that's gonna make us money...baby!!! *LOL*

[gov_bean_ counter]

Deep breath, exhale

deep breath, exhale

deep breath, exhale

squeeze!!

[Happygal]

Just as a matter of interest...how many hours a day do you spend chained to a desk?

And how many hours have you spent on a farm?


I would say over the years, I've spent...60 percent of my working life at a computer..or on e-technology dependent basis.
And 40 percent of my personal life driving a tractor on my uncles farm.

My uncle (being a small farmer in Ireland) persists, and will not sell out. But, he has a MUCH better lifestyle than those who decided to pick up pen-pushing.

BELIEVE ME.

Farming is hard.
But it doesn't harden arteries at such an accelerated rate as a newsroom.!!!

[rs79bm]

A lot of it has to do with the old CRT monitors that put a serious strain on the eye. Get yourself a high-resolution Flat Panel LCD Monitor and your eyes and body will thank you!

[montag813]

Spending just five hours a day in front of a computer can hugely increase the risk of depression and insomnia, according to new research.

I am not depressed and my insomnia is caused by 2-3 Red Bull's daily. Then again, I am a crazy daytrader who makes his living on futures.

[Rollee]

Does FReeping count?

[tubebender]

Spending just five hours a day in front of a computer can hugely increase the risk of depression and insomnia, according to new research.

And that's just on FReerepublic...

[Contra]

I think they should do a study of older people and the Internet. I truly believe that a lot of older people who surf the Internet are adding years to their lives because of the vast world of knowledge and information available. By adding years to their lives, I mean that they now have an interest that wasn't available to them just a few years ago. When I think of what the Internet can mean to someone, like a shut-in for example, it could literally give them the will to live that they wouldn't have otherwise have. Computers and the Internet are doing far more good than harm but the liberals will always dwell on the negative (and will make it up if it doesn't exist).

[lizma]

I'm a retired surgeon. Don't think any other career can get your heart pounding faster! You screw up, someone is really hosed, for life. Don't talk to me about modern day stress.

One gramps was a steel mill worker, one a farmer. Sorry but I think the farmer had it tougher. Steel worker gramps job was more dangerous, but common sense help you avoid most of the perils and you had a union to help you out if things went bad, but farming is really out of your control back then. A couple bad seasons, you end up with nothing. You could loose everything, including your own families lives.

To complain about stress today when you consider yesterday's stress is ludicrous. We are on easy street compared to those who came before.

[Happygal]

So therein, we agree?