EFFECTS OF AGE AND DOMESTIC COMMITMENT ON THE SLEEP AND ALERTNESS OF FEMALE SHIFTWORKERS

In this study, the combined effects of age and domestic commitment on sleep duration, sleep difficulties and alertness in a sample of female shiftworkers were studied. A total of 572 nurses working in general h ospitals in England completed a questionnaire. Two main shift systems were worked by the nurses: permanent nights or rotating shifts. Initia l analysis revealed significant differences between these two groups o f nurses, resulting in separate analysis of each group. Regression ana lysis showed that although older nurses had shorter sleep duration the y did not report more sleep difficulties, in addition, their overall o n-shift alertness was higher compared to younger nurses. Domestic comm itment, defined as the number of dependants in the household and the l evel of perceived work-home conflict,not only reduced sleep duration, but also resulted in more sleep difficulties and lower on-shift alertn ess for most of the shifts. Two implications with regards to the relat ionship between age and sleep are discussed. First, the study points t o the relevance of considering both biological and social factors when looking at age and sleep. Secondly, the study shows that the effects of age on sleep duration and sleep difficulties are not similar. This finding requires further research, especially in the light of the high er levels of alertness reported by older nurses.