Working hours and mental well-being in Europe: A multilevel analysis of the four-day week

Wilkinson, Jake 2026. Working hours and mental well-being in Europe: A multilevel analysis of the four-day week. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (6MB) | Preview
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (235kB)

Abstract

The 'four-day work week' has become an increasingly popular policy proposal in Europe, with advocates claiming it could tackle a range of social issues, from climate change to mental distress and inequality. Existing evidence is largely based on small-scale employer led trials and single-country studies, leaving a gap in large-scale, cross-national, population-level evidence. This thesis addresses that gap, focusing specifically on the well-being consequences of working reduced hours, as measured by happiness and depression. Analysis is conducted on 10 rounds of data (2002-2020) from the European Social Survey (n=212,048 paid employees in 33 countries). Multilevel linear and logistic models account for individual-level differences and national contexts, whilst interaction terms test for differences across demographic groups and job characteristics. Three main questions are addressed: 1. Do hours equivalent to a four-day week (28-34) predict better well-being than standard full-time hours (37-43)? 2. Are the effects stronger for certain demographic groups or job types? 3. Do outcomes vary across national contexts when wider socioeconomic conditions are accounted for? Working hours equivalent to a four-day week were associated with significantly higher happiness than fulltime hours, although the effect size was smaller than expected (~.09 points on a 0-10 scale). Full-time workers had 15% higher odds of meeting the clinical depression threshold compared to four-day equivalent workers, but this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.15, p = .06). The benefits of reduced hours did not significantly differ between most groups, although benefits appeared slightly stronger for parents and those with secure jobs. Cross-national differences were minimal, even when accounting for macro-level variables. Results suggest that a four-day week could offer positive, albeit modest, improvements to people's well-being. As findings are based on observations of existing patterns rather than legislated reductions in worktime, effect sizes may be underestimated. Still, as a stand-alone policy, results indicate that reduced hours may be unlikely to address deeper causes of mental distress. This thesis emphasises how working-time policies may need to be embedded within broader efforts to address structural determinants of well-being.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Funders:	ESRC Wales DTP.
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 June 2026
Last Modified:	07 Jul 2026 09:39
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187690

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item