The relationship between night duty tolerance and personality

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Shiftwork is common in nursing, but individual tolerance varies significantly.
• Understanding factors influencing shiftwork tolerance is crucial for employee well-being and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between personality factors and individual differences in shiftwork tolerance among nurses.
• To identify specific personality traits associated with a preference for or aversion to night shift work.

Main Methods:

• Forty-six nurses working night shifts were divided into two groups: those who would choose night shifts (S=24) and those who would not (S=22).
• Participants completed physical and psychological symptom scales to assess shiftwork tolerance.
• Personality variables, including rigidity/flexibility of sleeping habits, were measured.

Main Results:

• The group unwilling to work night shifts reported significantly higher physical and psychological symptoms, indicating lower shiftwork tolerance.
• Significant differences in personality variables were observed between the two groups.
• Rigidity/flexibility of sleeping habits showed the largest difference (p < 0.001), with the 'no nightwork' group being more rigid.

Conclusions:

• Personality factors, especially sleeping habit flexibility, play a role in determining an individual's tolerance for shiftwork.
• Shiftwork tolerance is an individual characteristic, and decisions regarding night shifts should be based on personal preference and tolerance levels.