Work and Quality of Life among Adolescents in Washington State, 2010

Objectives: Among adolescents, engaging in work or working longer hours have been associated with risk-taking behavior, poorer academic performance, and inadequate sleep. We examined the association between work, work intensity, and quality of life (QOL) among adolescents in Washington State.

Methods: We analyzed 2010 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey data for 8th, 10th, and 12th grade public school students. Adolescents reported currently working for pay (not counting chores at home, yard work, or babysitting) and hours per week if working. QOL was assessed using the Youth Quality of Life Surveillance 6-item Measure. Survey-weighted multivariable regression was used to test the associations between QOL and the work outcomes (working and work intensity). We tested for effect modification by grade level.

Results: Of 8,882 adolescents who completed questionnaires in 2010, 28.6% reported currently working. Effects of working on QOL were modified by grade: among 8th and 10th grade students, working was associated with significantly lower QOL scores; no association was detected for 12th grades students.  Among working students, increased work intensity was associated with significantly lower QOL scores. Compared to adolescents who worked 10 or fewer hours per week, QOL scores for those who worked over 40 hours per week were 22.9% lower (95% CI: 16.7-29.0%).

Conclusion:  Working during the school year was associated with lower QOL for younger adolescents, and we observed a reciprocal relationship between work intensity and QOL. For adolescents attending school, increased attention should be paid to the impacts of work on QOL.