Long working hours may be associated with adverse health outcomes among ride-hailing drivers. The study aims to examine the associations between long working hours, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and occupational stress. Additionally, it explores the association between long working hours and the co-occurrence of WMSDs and occupational stress. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 668 ride-hailing drivers in Beijing, China, from August to October 2024. WMSDs were assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Occupational stress was assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). In this study, co-occurrence was defined as the joint classification of WMSDs and occupational stress in the same individual. Participants were categorized into groups of <55 and ≥55 working hours per week. Binary and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between weekly working hours and health outcomes. Overall, 77.8% of participants worked ≥55 h per week. The prevalence of WMSDs and occupational stress was 53.0% and 56.4%, respectively. Weekly working hours ≥55 h were significantly associated with higher odds of occupational stress after full adjustment (aOR = 3.99, 95% CI: 2.59–6.13), but were not significantly associated with WMSDs (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.74–1.70). Occupational stress was associated with higher odds of WMSDs (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.18). Compared with drivers working <55 h per week, those working ≥55 h per week had higher odds of having one condition (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.21–3.14) and co-occurrence of occupational stress and WMSDs (aOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 2.57–8.36). The prevalence of co-occurrence was 37.9% in the ≥55 h group and 16.2% in the <55 h group. Long working hours were associated with occupational stress and with the co-occurrence of occupational stress and WMSDs among ride-hailing drivers. However, no independent association was observed between long working hours and WMSDs. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive occupational health interventions targeting ride-hailing drivers.
- Open Access
- Article
Long Working Hours and the Co-Occurrence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Occupational Stress among Ride-Hailing Drivers in Beijing, China
- Zhihui Wang 1,†,
- Binshuo Hu 1,†,
- Xin Song 1,
- Xiaoshun Wang 1,
- Rui Guan 2,
- Hong Yu 2,
- Siyuan Wang 3,
- Dongsheng Niu 1,
- Tenglong Yan 1,*,
- Xiaowen Ding 1,*
Author Information
Received: 22 May 2026 | Revised: 05 Sep 2026 | Accepted: 16 Sep 2026 | Published: 10 Oct 2026
Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
long working hours | work-related musculoskeletal disorders | occupational stress | co-occurrence | ride-hailing drivers
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