The Impact of Shift Work on Perceived Sleep Quality Among Nurses and Technicians

INTRODUCTION: Sleep is not a passive state, but a vital process that ensures the renewal and regulation of the whole organism, especially the brain. Sleep disorders, which are increasingly prevalent among nurses and shift technicians, have a significant impact on their mental health and cognitive functions, increasing the risk of developing various health problems. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of shift work on the perceived sleep quality of nurses and technicians, with an emphasis on the differences between those who work in shifts and those who work in one shift, and to compare mental health and the incidence of chronic diseases between these two groups. METHODS: The research included a survey of 299 nurses and technicians in the Republic of Croatia, of which 190 were included in the analysis. The data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and questions about chronic diseases. Statistical analysis was conducted using the t-test and the Chi-square test to investigate the impact of shift work on sleep quality and mental health. RESULTS: The results showed that shift-working MS/MTs had poorer perceived sleep quality with an average PSQI score of 8.9 versus 6.6 in single-shift workers. Although participants in shifts had a higher presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, the difference in the incidence of chronic diseases between the two groups was not statistically significant. Therefore, while shift work negatively affects sleep quality, the effect on mental health and the incidence of chronic diseases has not been confirmed. CONCLUSION: The study showed that shift work significantly impairs the quality of sleep of nurses and technicians, while the differences in the levels of depression, anxiety and the incidence of chronic diseases were not statistically significant. These results indicate the need for further research and adaptation of working conditions in order to reduce the negative consequences of shift work on health.