What aspects of shiftwork influence off-shift well-being of healthcare workers?
Characteristics of shiftwork schedules have implications for off-shift well-being. We examined the extent to which several shift characteristics (e.g., shift length, working sundays) are associated with three aspects of off-shift well-being: work-to-family conflict, physical well-being, and mental well-being. We also investigated whether these relationships differed in four nations. The Survey of Work and Time was completed by 906 healthcare professionals located in Australia, Brazil, Croatia, and the USA. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses supported the hypothesis that shiftwork characteristics account for significant unique variance in all three measures of well-being beyond that accounted for by work and family demands and personal characteristics. The patterns of regression weights indicated that particular shiftwork characteristics have differential relevance to indices of work-to-family conflict, physical well-being, and mental well-being. Our findings suggest that healthcare organizations should carefully consider the implications of shiftwork characteristics for off-shift well-being. Furthermore, although our findings did not indicate national differences in the nature of relationships between shift characteristics and well-being, shiftwork characteristics and demographics for healthcare professionals differ in systematic ways among nations; as such, effective solutions may be context-specific.
Barnes-Farrell
Janet L
JL
Department of Psychology, Unit 1020, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-1020, USA. Janet.Barnes-Farrell@uconn.edu <Janet.Barnes-Farrell@uconn.edu>
Davies-Schrils
Kimberly
K
McGonagle
Alyssa
A
Walsh
Benjamin
B
Milia
Lee Di
LD
Fischer
Frida Marina
FM
Hobbs
Barbara B
BB
Kaliterna
Ljiljana
L
Tepas
Donald
D
D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload