A pilot study examining if satisfaction of basic needs can ameliorate negative effects of shift work

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Shift work is prevalent and associated with adverse health outcomes.
• Understanding factors influencing shift work tolerance is crucial for worker well-being.
• Basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) are fundamental to human motivation and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and shift work tolerance.
• To examine how autonomy, competence, and relatedness relate to physical fatigue, mental fatigue, insomnia, and digestive troubles in shift workers.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional pilot questionnaire study was conducted.
• Data were collected from 252 shift workers in Norway.
• Statistical analyses included correlation and regression models.

Main Results:

• Autonomy was negatively associated with physical fatigue and digestive troubles.
• Competence was negatively associated with mental fatigue.
• Relatedness showed correlations with insomnia and mental fatigue but was not significant in the final regression model. Sleep medication was significant for insomnia.
• Demographic variables, work hours, work schedule, and night work exposure were not significantly related to shift work tolerance measures.

Conclusions:

• Satisfaction of basic psychological needs, particularly autonomy and competence, appears more critical for shift work tolerance than work arrangement variables or sleep medication.
• Interventions aimed at enhancing autonomy and competence may improve shift workers' well-being and reduce adverse health effects.