Citation

Zion N, Drach-Zahavy A, Shochat T. Ergonomics 2018; 61(7): 1004-1014.

Affiliation

Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences , University of Haifa , Haifa , Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2017.1418027

PMID

29239697

Abstract

Sleepiness is a common complaint during the night shift and may impair performance. The current study aimed to identify bio-psycho-social factors associated with subjective sleepiness during the night shift. Ninety-two female nurses working rotating shifts completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Munich ChronoType Questionaire for shift workers, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and the Pre-sleep Arousal Scale. Subjective sleepiness was measured hourly during two night shifts using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, and activity monitors assessed sleep duration 24-hours before each shift.

FINDINGS showed that increased sleepiness associated with increased age in nurses with early chronotypes and with more children. High cognitive pre-sleep arousal, but not sleep, associated with increased sleepiness, especially in late chronotypes. The impact of bio-psycho-social factors on night shift sleepiness is complex and depends on mutual interactions between these factors. Nurses most prone to increased sleepiness must develop personal strategies for maintaining vigilance on the night shift. Practitioner Summary: This study aimed to identify bio-psycho-social factors associated with subjective sleepiness of female nurses during the night shift. Increasing sleepiness associated with increased age in nurses with early chronotypes and with more children. Increased cognitive pre-sleep arousal, but not sleep, associated with increased sleepiness, especially in late chronotypes.

Language: en

Keywords

age; chronotype; cognitive pre-sleep arousal; subjective sleepiness