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. 2020 Jun 26;111(3):195-202.
doi: 10.23749/mdl.v111i3.9197.

Shift work sleep disorder and job stress in shift nurses: implications for preventive interventions

Gabriele D'Ettorre  1 , Vincenza Pellicani  2 , Anna Caroli  3 , Mariarita Greco  4
Affiliations

Shift work sleep disorder and job stress in shift nurses: implications for preventive interventions

Gabriele D'Ettorre et al. Med Lav. .

Abstract
in English, Italian

Background: A growing literature has revealed a relationship between shift-work, including night-shift, and the disturbance of sleep-wake cycle, leading to insomnia and/or increased daytime sleepiness in shift nurses; recent findings showed an association between shift work sleep disorders and distress, work accidents, decreased job performance and, consequently, lower quality of health service provision and lower standards of care.

Objectives: To analyze across the gender how shift nurses experience shift work sleep disorders and job stress.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed following the STROBE Statement. The Italian version of the Job Content Questionnaire, the Bergen Insomnia Scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered to the registered nurses employed in three Departments of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine.

Results: No significant association was found between high job strain and insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Significantly more women than men experienced high job strain, insomnia and daytime sleepiness; among women the level of social support was significantly and negatively associated with insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that interventions aimed to prevent shift work sleep disorder and job stress in shift-nurses should incorporate the assessment of social support across the gender. Moreover, longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeted on social support to minimize the occurrence of insomnia and daytime sleepiness in shift nurses.

«Disturbo da lavoro a turni tra infermieri turnisti. Implicazioni per interventi preventivi»

Introduzione:: Una crescente letteratura ha rivelato tra gli infermieri turnisti una correlazione tra lavoro a turni, incluso il turno notturno, ed il disturbo del ciclo sonno-veglia con conseguente insonnia e/o aumentata sonnolenza diurna; recenti studi hanno mostrato un’associazione tra disturbi del sonno e distress, infortuni sul lavoro, ridotta prestazione lavorativa e, conseguentemente, minore qualità delle prestazioni sanitarie ed un più basso standard di cura.

Obiettivi:: Analisi di genere dei disturbi del sonno e dello stress lavorativo percepito da infermieri turnisti.

Metodi:: È stato condotto uno studio trasversale seguendo il regolamento STROBE. Sono stati somministrati agli infermieri turnisti di tre dipartimenti di medicina e geriatria i seguenti questionari: Job Content Questionnaire, Bergen Insomnia Scale ed Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Risultati:: Non è stata rilevata una associazione significativa tra alto strain lavorativo ed insonnia e sonnolenza diurna. Significativamente più donne che uomini sono risultate esposte ad alto strain lavorativo, insonnia e sonnolenza diurna: tra le donne il livello di supporto sociale è risultato significativamente e negativamente associato ad insonnia e sonnolenza diurna.

Conclusioni.: I risultati del presente studio suggeriscono che interventi mirati a prevenire il disturbo da lavoro a turni e lo stress lavorativo dovrebbero includere la valutazione di genere del supporto sociale. Sono richiesti, inoltre, studi longitudinali per valutare l’efficacia di interventi mirati al supporto sociale per minimizzare l’occorrenza di insonnia e sonnolenza diurna tra gli infermeri turnisti.

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