The relationship between shift-work, sleep, and mental health among paramedics in Australia.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleep and mental health issues, the role of chronotype, and the relationship between these variables in Australian paramedics.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Cross-sectional survey.

MEASUREMENTS

Paramedics were invited to complete an online survey to assess stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, shift-work disorder, bruxism, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, chronotype, fatigue, and well-being.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 136 paramedics responded to the survey (age, 39.1 ± 12.1 years; 45.8% men and 54.2% women; 85.4% rotating shift-workers, 7% rural shift-workers, and 7.6% fixed rosters).

RESULTS

Paramedics reported significantly higher levels of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fatigue, PTSD symptoms, insomnia symptoms, narcolepsy, and significantly poorer sleep quality and general well-being than norms from the general population of Australia and Western countries (all p < .05). From regression analyses, insomnia explained the greatest amount of variance in depression and anxiety scores, followed by fatigue and PTSD (adjusted R-squared for depression and anxiety models = .58 and = .44, respectively, p < .001). The majority of participants were intermediate chronotype (57%), followed by morning (32%) and evening type (11%). Evening chronotypes showed significantly higher depression scores (p < .001), anxiety (p < .05), PTSD symptoms (p < .05), poorer sleep quality (p < .05), and general well-being (p < .001) compared with morning types.

CONCLUSION

Addressing sleep issues and matching chronotype to shift preference in paramedics may help to reduce depression, anxiety, and improve well-being.