Proceeding CIE 24th Session, Warsaw 1999, Vol. 1, Part 2, pp. 291- 294
Shortness of daylight as a reason for fatigue and sadness. A cross-cultural comparison
R. Kuller, S.G. Ballal, T. Laike, B. Mikelides
Abstract: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD & sub-SAD) is very common during the dark season. One aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of SAD-like symptoms at different times of the year and in different climatic zones. Another aim was to szudy whether there exists a systematic relationship between these symptoms on the one hand, and insufficient artificial lighting at the work place on the other. The study was carried out as surveys at work places in Sweden, England and Saudi Arabia. In the northern countries, there was a large and consistent decrease in activity, well-being and sociability during the winter, whereas in Saudi Arabia there was no significant variation between different seasons. Fairly and very strong sadness was reported by 11 per cent of the working population in Sweden and England, but by less than one per cent in Saudi Arabia. The symptoms became aggravated for individuals working in dark environments, whereas individuals situated less than two meters from a window benefited from the natural daylight during fall and spring.
Link to:
The influence of light on circarhythms in humans
The impact of flicker from fluorescent lighting on well-being, performance and physiological arousal
Shortness of daylight as a reason for fatigue and sadness. A cross-cultural comparison
The subterranean work environment: impact on well-being and health
© 2003 Prof. Ricard Kuller