Unsociable work times a problem.

Unsociable work times (hours during evenings, weekends, or nights) are associated with poorer mental health in parents and more social and emotional difficulties in children, researchers report in the April issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family.

They examined the effect of the growing 24-hour economy and the effect of its need for workers 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. More than 4,000 households were studied.

Where either parent worked non-standard hours, family functioning was more hostile and parenting more ineffective. The effects were similar for either parent. The worst problems occur when both parents work non-standard hours.

These problems were stronger in households with preschool-aged children compared to those homes with school-aged children. While non-standard work schedules have been viewed as potentially "family friendly", the findings challenge that belief. "Work in the evenings, nights, and weekends can make it harder to maintain family rituals, routines, and social activities that are important for closeness," the authors explain.

www.ncfr.org.