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. 2024 May 4;14(1):10246.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60882-1.

Decoding the impact of night/day shiftwork on well-being among healthcare workers

Lawrence Ejike Ugwu  1 , Erhabor Sunday Idemudia  2 , Maria-Chidi Christiana Onyedibe  3
Affiliations

Decoding the impact of night/day shiftwork on well-being among healthcare workers

Lawrence Ejike Ugwu et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

This study delved into the complex effects of work schedules on the well-being of healthcare professionals, spotlighting Nigeria's medical landscape. A diverse cohort of 387 participants, spanning doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians or scientists, formed the research base, with the majority being women (67.7%), with a mean age of 34.67 years. Professionals self-reported their predominant schedules to gauge work patterns, classifying them as day or night shifts. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) tool assessed the quality of life across the physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains. Psychological distress was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS), and perceived social support was evaluated via the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). A cross-sectional design was adopted, and the study employed moderated mediation analysis using SmartPLS 4.0. The results underscored the significant ramifications of night shifts on environmental and physical well-being. Psychological health and social relationships were better among day shift than night shift workers. There was a pronounced correlation between night shifts and heightened levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. The mediating role of psychological distress and the moderating influence of social support in these relationships were evident. This study offers invaluable insights into the role of work schedules in shaping the well-being of healthcare professionals, emphasising the protective role of social support and the unique challenges faced by migrant health workers.

Keywords: Environmental conditions; Physical health; Psychological well-being; Quality of life; Social relationship; Social support; Work schedule.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study. No financial, personal, or professional relationships could have influenced or been perceived to influence the research presented in this manuscript submitted to The Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. All funding sources have been acknowledged in the manuscript, and there are no affiliations, consultancies, or collaborations with organisations that may have an interest in the research or its outcomes. Additionally, the authors have no personal beliefs or strong opinions on the topic studied that could affect their objectivity or the integrity of the research.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual framework work schedule, perceived social support, psychological distress and quality of life. Note: PSS Perceived social support, QoL Quality of Life, “ + ”indicate positive relationship; “-”indicates negative relationship.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interaction graph between work schedules, perceived social support, and anxiety.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Interaction graph between work schedules, perceived social support, and stress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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