Modifying effects of perceived adaptation to shift work on health, wellbeing, and alertness on the job among nuclear power plant operators.
This study examined the relationship between perceived adaptation to shift work and shift-related problems. A total of 608 male operators at nuclear power plants completed a set of validated questionnaires including a modified version of the Standard Shiftwork Index, which covered adaptation to shift work, fit to job content, chronotypes, chronic fatigue, sleep, naps, shift work locus of control (SHLOC), psychological health, social/family life, daytime sleepiness, workload, alertness on the job, and lifestyle factors. Participants were divided into two groups according to their perceived level of adaptation to shift work. The good adaptation group showed better outcomes than the poor adaptation group in terms of fit to job content, chronic fatigue, daytime sleep before night shifts, social and family disruption, SHLOC, psychological health, and alertness during night shifts (ps<0.001). Operators who reported good adaptation also took a more frequent, longer nap and more cigarettes during night shifts (ps<0.05). The cross-sectional study design cannot determine a causal relationship between perceived adaptation and shift work problems, yet the present results suggest that the effects of working shifts may be modified by perceptions of shift work adaptation.
Takahashi
Masaya
M
National Institute of Industrial Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan.
Tanigawa
Takeshi
T
Tachibana
Naoko
N
Mutou
Keiko
K
Kage
Yoshiko
Y
Smith
Lawrence
L
Iso
Hiroyasu
H
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011210:Power Plants; D012146:Rest; D012647:Self-Assessment; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce