Individual difference correlates of nightwork and shift-work rotation

Abstract

This study examined psychological correlates of nightwork on different television workers. Three hundred and twelve participants working nightshifts or dayshifts completed a questionnaire to measure psychological well-being, self-esteem, job satisfaction, locus of control and adjustment to night-work. Participants were “creatives” and journalists working in television news production. Nightworkers, compared to dayworkers, reported lower job satisfaction (particularly intrinsic satisfaction and attitude towards physical conditions); there were, however, no differences in self-reported psychological well-being, locus of control, or self-esteem. Significant interactions between time-of-day and job category for job satisfaction and locus of control indicated that journalists had higher internal locus of control during nightwork whereas creatives were more external; and journalists were more job satisfied than creatives especially nightworkers. Adjustment to shiftwork factors were not different as a main effect, but there was an interaction indicating that day time journalists had significantly higher morningness scores than night time journalists. Participants working only two to four consecutive nights between time-off (considered fast rotating) were significantly more internal, had higher scores for well-being, self-esteem and job satisfaction than slowly rotating nightworkers. Results are discussed in terms of the interaction of factors that facilitate adjustment. Further suggestions for coping with night work are made, and further possible research is discussed.