Abstract
On-call work arrangements are commonly utilised in the emergency services sector and are consistency associated with inadequate sleep. Despite sleep being a common shared behaviour, studies are yet to assess the impact of on-call work on the sleep of co-sleeping partners. This study aimed to investigate whether frequent 24/7 on-call work impacted the sleep and relationship happiness of firefighters’ partners. Two key research questions were investigated: (1) Does the frequency of calls impact sleep and relationship happiness? and, (2) Does the (a) sleep quantity and (b) sleep quality of partners impact perceived relationship happiness? A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire completed by partners of on-call workers (n = 66; 93% female). The questionnaire included items on (i) sleep quantity and quality, (ii) on-call sleep disturbances and, (iii) relationship happiness. Responses were analysed using logistic regression models. Higher overnight call frequency was associated with greater self-reported levels of inadequate sleep (<7 h per night; p = 0.024). Support for continuance of a firefighter’s role was less likely if the partner reported they regularly had trouble falling asleep within 30 min (p < 0.001). There were no other significant relationships between the frequency of calls or other sleep quantity or quality variables and relationship happiness. This study provides important first insights into how firefighters’ on-call work arrangements impact partners’ sleep. Future research is needed across periods of high and low call demand, using objective measures of sleep to further define the impacts of on-call work on partners’ sleep.
Highlights
Worldwide, between 17% and 25% of the workforce are involved in some form of on-call working arrangements in order to provide continuity of services [1,2,3]
This in turn may expose both the on-call worker and their bed partner at risk of the adverse consequences associated with inadequate sleep, such as impaired performance, increase likelihood of accidents and long-term health impacts [21,22]
The majority (92%) of participants were happy in their relationship and only a small proportion (8%) reported that they would like their partner to give up their role as a firefighter
Summary
Between 17% and 25% of the workforce are involved in some form of on-call working arrangements in order to provide continuity of services [1,2,3]. Given the majority of on-call workers attempt to sleep during overnight on-call periods, and sleep is often a shared behaviour [15], the call to work has the potential to wake the worker and their bed partner. Inadequate sleep may adversely impact the quality of the relationship between the on-call worker and their partner [20]. This in turn may expose both the on-call worker and their bed partner at risk of the adverse consequences associated with inadequate sleep, such as impaired performance, increase likelihood of accidents and long-term health impacts [21,22]
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