Shiftwork and working hours.

Abstract

The advent of modern industrial processes, the globalization of the economy, and the proliferation of information technology, among other factors, have contributed to the creation of a 24-hour society in recent times. As the demand for 24-hour availability of goods and services has risen over the past few decades, the prevalence of shiftwork has likewise increased. In the United States, approximately 20% of all nonagricultural workers experience some type of shiftwork, and 25% of these shiftworkers work at night (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1991). Estimates for European workers are similar (Wedderburn, 1996).Shiftwork is defined as any arrangement of daily working hours that differs from the standard daylight hours. Organizations that adopt shiftwork systems extend their hours of work past eight hours by using successive teams of workers. The nature of shift systems can vary widely along several dimensions, including the number and length of shifts, the presence or absence of night work, the direction and speed of the shift rotation (or whether the shift rotates or not), the length of the shift cycles, the start and stop times of each shift, and the number and placement of days off.The scientific community has long maintained that individuals who regularly work atypical hours (i.e., shiftwork of some type) are at greater risk for physical and psychological impairment or disease than typical day workers (e.g., Costa, 1996;Costa, Folkard, & Harrington, 2000). This risk is assumed to originate from the physical and psychological stress that develops from work schedule-related disruptions of their biological functions, sleep, and social and family life. The risk is further exacerbated by extended hours of work beyond the standard 40-hour week, a trend that has also been increasing over the past several years (Costa et al., 2000).In this chapter, we explore the relationships between shiftwork and health. We do not attempt to be comprehensive, but rather representative, in our review of the published research literature. First, we provide general background information on circadian rhythms to prepare the reader for the balance of the chapter. Second, we review the empirical literature on shiftwork and various types of health-related strains or outcomes. Third, we examine some of the factors (e.g., age, personality) that have been investigated in the search for the "shiftwork tolerant" individual. Fourth, we explore the various types of interventions that have been attempted to 163

The mediating role of work-to-family conflict in the relationship between shiftwork and depression

“…Respondents were requested to indicate which of the seven following schedules best describes their work schedule: (a) regular daytime schedule, (b) regular evening shift, (c) regular night or graveyard shift, (d) rotating shifts, (e) split shifts, (f) irregular schedule, or (g) on call schedule. Consistent with accepted definitions of shiftwork (Smith et al, 2003;Totterdell, 2005), those working on a regular daytime schedule were coded 0 and those on any of the other schedules were coded 1.…”

“…The aim of investigating this mediation process is to better establish why shiftwork is associated with mental health problems. Our study should help determine the value of the social explanation of the influence of shiftwork on mental health (Smith et al, 2003;Totterdell, 2005).…”

“…With significant segments of the working population being involved in shiftwork (Boisard, Cartron, Gollac, & Valeyre, 2003;Statistics Canada, 2002), serious concerns have been raised about the consequences for health, and recent reviews clearly substantiate the association between shiftwork and ill health, including depression (Smith, Folkard, & Fuller, 2003;Totterdell, 2005). More research is needed, however, to ''elucidate the precise biological, psychological, and social pathways by which work schedules produce particular effects'' (Totterdell, 2005, p. 52).…”

An Interview Study of the Experiences of Firefighters in Regard to Psychological Contract and Stressors

“…These stressors can have long-term psychophysical and behavioural effects on the health of firefighters, for example, anxiety and depression (Brough 2004); burnout (Prati et al 2011;Vaulerin et al 2016); emotional exhaustion (Smith et al 2003); depersonalisation (Alexander and Klien 2001); and post-traumatic stress disorder (McFarlane and Bryant 2007).…”

Impacts of shift work: A study in textile companies in Portugal

“…problems associated with the digestive or cardiovascular system) and psychological (e.g. sleep, mood changes) level (Costa, 1997;Boggild and Knutsson, 1999;Åkerstedt, 2003;Knutsson, 2003;Smith et al, 2003;Matheson et al, 2014;Gu et al, 2015). Some studies of these three levels of impacts will be presented, particularly those that reflect the impacts evaluated in the present study.…”