Working hours and subjective well-being in Mexico, is there a balance?

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between working hours and the subjective well-being of Mexicans, considering gender and type of employment. To this end, a work-life balance approach is
employed. An ordered logistic model is estimated using information from the 2019 National Time Use
Survey. The results suggest that workdays exceeding 48 hours reduce the likelihood of higher satisfaction, with a stronger correlation observed among women. This negative relationship is significant for
both formal and informal employees, but not for the self-employed. Working fewer hours (1-28 hours)
has a positive effect on the well-being of women and formal employees; however, it has a negative effect
on men and is not significant in the well-being reports of informal and self-employed individuals.
The highest level of well-being is achieved through working a formal job of between 29 and 40 hours
per week, provided income is maintained.