Shift work, especially night shifts, is associated with a higher occurrence of sleep disorders, according to a study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands. The study, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, examined the relationship between different shift patterns, demographic factors, and sleep disorders. The researchers recruited over 37,000 participants and collected information on demographic characteristics and shift work patterns. Participants also completed a questionnaire screening for six common sleep disorder categories. The findings revealed that working regular night shifts had the most detrimental impact on sleep, with 51% of night shift workers scoring positive for at least one sleep disorder.
The study also analyzed the influence of demographic factors on sleep health. It found that males slept fewer hours than females, but sleep disorders were more common in women. Age also played a role, with older participants sleeping shorter hours and younger participants having a higher prevalence of sleep disorders. Additionally, education level impacted sleep health, with young adults with a lower education experiencing shorter sleep durations and a higher prevalence of sleep disorders.
The researchers acknowledged that some night shift workers may experience fewer sleep-related problems than others. However, they emphasized that for the average night shift worker, the out-of-rhythm work pattern increases the likelihood of struggling with regular, healthy sleep. The study also highlighted the limitations of its findings, such as the potential bias of participants with sleep disorders being more willing to participate in sleep-focused studies.
Despite these limitations, the study’s findings provide valuable information for employers in industries that commonly involve shift work. The results can be used to educate employers and workers on strategies to manage and minimize the negative consequences of working night shifts and sleeping during the day. The researchers emphasize that complete prevention of the negative consequences of night work may be challenging due to the inherent desynchronization with the day-work focused environment. However, increased awareness and implementation of strategies may help mitigate the impact on sleep health for night shift workers.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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