Associations between sleep disturbances, mental health outcomes and burnout in firefighters, and the mediating role of sleep during overnight work: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

This study investigated whether sleep disorder risk and mental health outcomes in firefighters were associated with burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion, and examined the mediating role of sleep at work in these relationships. A secondary aim was to investigate associations between habitual sleep characteristics and burnout. North American firefighters (n = 6,307) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, personal accomplishment), and were screened for sleep disorders and self‐reported current mental health conditions and sleep characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analyses examined associations between sleep, mental health outcomes and burnout. Firefighters screening positive for a sleep disorder, particularly insomnia, had increased risk of emotional exhaustion (adjusted odds ratio 3.78, 95% confidence interval 2.97–4.79). Firefighters self‐reporting a current mental health condition were at greater risk of emotional exhaustion (adjusted odds ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval 2.79–4.27). Sleep during overnight work mediated the impact of having a sleep disorder and mental health condition on high burnout. Sleepiness and sleep deficit (difference between required and actual sleep), even in firefighters without sleep disorder risk, were associated with depersonalisation (adjusted odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.34–2.03 and adjusted odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.57, respectively) and low personal accomplishment (adjusted odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.07–1.47 and adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.35, respectively). Sleep and mental health problems were associated with increased risk of burnout in firefighters, and sleep during overnight work mediated these relationships. The results suggest the need to examine the effectiveness of occupational interventions that improve the opportunity for sleep, together with screening for and treating sleep disorders, to reduce burnout risk.

Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to Predict Patterns of Marijuana Use among Young Iranian Adults

“…Typical adverse health effects of regular and heavy marijuana use are psychiatric problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, psychosis [1], and schizophrenia [12][13][14]. Marijuana use has numerous consequences, including impaired respiratory function and cardiovascular disease [6], increase in myocardial infarction, and stroke prevalence [15], along with neural connectivity impairment, and hippocampus activity reduction [15]. To illustrate further, Hasin et al [5] listed the following somatic, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional consequences: cognitive decline, psychosocial impairments, higher rates of traffic accidents, emergency department visits, poor quality of life, use of other drugs [16][17][18], cannabis withdrawal syndrome, and risk of addiction.…”

Should public safety shift workers be allowed to nap while on duty?

“…These front-line personnel suffer from high rates of poor sleep, workplace fatigue, occupational stress, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and violence in the workplace. [1][2][3][4][5] In most communities, public safety personnel maintain readiness 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Maintaining readiness requires that many work long duration shifts, work more than 40 hours per week, and unplanned overtime hours.…”

“…The shift work nature of public safety occupations contributes to many reporting inadequate sleep, poor sleep quality, fatigue, occupational stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout. [1][2][3][4] Previous research has shown that greater than half of police officers, firefighters, and EMS shift workers report poor sleep quality or inadequate sleep. 4,6,7 The hazards of poor sleep and workplace fatigue are numerous.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Previous research has shown that greater than half of police officers, firefighters, and EMS shift workers report poor sleep quality or inadequate sleep. 4,6,7 The hazards of poor sleep and workplace fatigue are numerous. Poor sleep and workrelated fatigue are linked to an increased risk of occupational injury, increased errors, poor mental and physical health, and increased risk of numerous medical problems including cardiovascular disease.…”

Sleep and neuropsychiatric disorders

“…Wolkow et al () conducted a cross‐sectional study on the associations between sleep disturbances, mental health and burnout in firefighters, paying special respect to the mediating role of sleep during overnight work. This study was performed in North American firefighters ( n = 6,307) who completed several questionnaires about burnout and mental health, but who were also screened for sleep disorders and self‐reported sleep characteristics.…”