Workload, stress and family life in British members of parliament and the psychological impact of reforms to their working hours

The Select Committee which reviewed the working hours of the House of Commons revealed that MPs were facing two major problems: first, they had not the time and/or resources to carry out their work as they would wish; and second, a disastrous price had been, and continued to be paid in terms of their private and family lives.1 Such problems serve to illustrate the limits in human ability to adapt to overload, which can result in impaired judgement and long-term mental drain.2 Furthermore, such findings assume greater significance when one is considering the occupational group which is responsible for the decisions which affect the daily lives of people living in the UK. Yet prior to this study, no psychological research had been carried out with national politicians.