Effects of work organization on the occurrence and resolution of sleep disturbances among night shift workers: a longitudinal observational study

Seungho Lee,Kyung-Jong Lee,Seunghon Ham,Inchul Jeong,Jae Bum Park

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-85017-8

Seungho Lee, Kyung-Jong Lee + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85017-8

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Mar 9, 2021
Citations: 3	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Ajou University, Gachon University

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between work organization and the trajectories of insomnia patterns among night shift workers in a hospital. The health examination data of hospital workers, recorded from January 2014 to December 2018, were collected; 6765 records of 2615 night shift workers were included. Insomnia was defined as a score of ≥ 15 on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Participants were categorized into five groups according to insomnia patterns derived from the analysis of their ISI scores. Work organization and socio-demographic characteristics were also investigated. Generalized estimating equation models and linear mixed models were constructed to analyze the longitudinal data. Of the total participants, 53.0% reported insomnia at least once during the follow-up period. The lack of nap opportunities and work-time control was associated with the occurrence of insomnia, whereas more than 5 years of shift work experience was related to the resolution of insomnia. All work-related factors were significantly related to insomnia risk; however, the effects were not significant in the sustained insomnia group. Although sleep problems are inevitable in night shift workers, well-designed work schedules and better work organization can help reduce the occurrence of insomnia among them.

Highlights

This study aimed to investigate the association between work organization and the trajectories of insomnia patterns among night shift workers in a hospital
The distribution of participants according to the patterns of insomnia was as follows: 47.0% of the participants were included in the no insomnia group, 13.8% were included in the insomnia occurrence group, 11.5% were included in the insomnia resolution group, 18.1% were included in the sustained insomnia group, and 9.6% were included in the fluctuating insomnia group
We investigated the association between work organization and the trajectories of insomnia patterns among night shift workers in a hospital

Summary

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the association between work organization and the trajectories of insomnia patterns among night shift workers in a hospital. Sleep problems are inevitable in night shift workers, well-designed work schedules and better work organization can help reduce the occurrence of insomnia among them. The relationships between shift work and cancer, mental disorders, and reproduction problems have been reported[4] Several mechanisms, such as circadian disruption, disturbed sleep, behavioral change, psychosocial stress, and physiological change have been suggested as plausible reasons behind these relationships[4,5]. A previous systematic review that included 85 studies concluded that individual factors, such as older age, morning-type personality, circadian flexibility, being married or having children, increased caffeine intake, higher neuroticism scores, and lower hardiness scores were related to a higher risk of SWD, whereas physical activity was a protective factor[7]. The number of longitudinal studies on the occurrence or resolution of insomnia is limited

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