Sleep, stress and compensatory behaviors in Australian nurses and midwives

Jillian Dorrian,Ann E Rogers,Carol Grech,Jan Pincombe,Drew Dawson,Jessica Paterson

doi:10.1590/s0034-89102011005000059

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe sleep, stress and compensatory behaviors in nurses and midwives. METHODS: The study included 41 midwives and 21 nurses working in Australian hospitals between 2005 and 2009. Participation was voluntary. All participants recorded on a daily basis their work and sleep hours, levels of stress and exhaustion, caffeine intake and use of sleep aids for a month (1,736 days, 1,002 work shifts). RESULTS: Participants reported moderate to high levels of stress and exhaustion on 20-40% of work days; experienced sleep disruption on more than 50% of work days; struggled to remain awake on 27% of work days; and suffered extreme drowsiness or experienced a near accident while travelling home on 9% of workdays. Age, perceived sleep duration and work hours were significant predictors of caffeine intake. About 60% of participants reported using sleep aids (about 20% reported taking prescription medications and 44% of nurses and 9% of midwives reported alcohol use as a sleep aid at least once during the study). Stress and workdays were significant predictors of sedative use. Overall, 22% reported being indifferent or mildly dissatisfied with their job. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep problems, high levels of stress and exhaustion and low job satisfaction are prevalent among nurses and midwives. The use of alcohol and sleeping pills as sleep aids, and the use of caffeine to help maintain alertness is also common. Nurses and midwives may use caffeine to compensate for reduced sleep, especially on workdays, and sleeping pills to cope with their daily work-related stress.

Highlights

Shift work is typically associated with circadian disruption, reduced sleep, increased sleepiness, and in turn, compromised occupational health, safety and productivity.[2]
Sleep problems, high levels of stress and exhaustion and low job satisfaction are prevalent among nurses and midwives
Nurses and midwives may use caffeine to compensate for reduced sleep, especially on workdays, and sleeping pills to cope with their daily work-related stress

Summary

Introduction

Shift work is typically associated with circadian disruption, reduced sleep, increased sleepiness, and in turn, compromised occupational health, safety and productivity.[2] Nurses in the United States (US) and Australia experience disrupted and reduced sleep, feel drowsy at work and while commuting home, and frequently report moderate to high levels of stress and exhaustion.[6,17,20,21] There are studies linking work hours, sleep, sleepiness and errors at work.[6,17] While literature outlining the negative effects of shift work in nursing is building,[15] little attention has been paid to midwives. Issues of stress and burnout in midwifery have been well-established.[19]

Methods

Results

Conclusion