Background
Many risk factors related to altered circadian rhythms impact the health of night-shift hospital workers (NSHW), resulting in mental and somatic disorders. Easy access to psychoactive substances (PS) may facilitate addictive behaviors in NSHW. They are also exposed to a stressful work environment, which may further affect sleep quality. This study aimed to explore the link between sleep deprivation, work-related psychosocial stress and psychoactive substance use as a self-medication response in NSHW.
Methods
Qualitative study to verify the plausibility of the self-medication theory applied to addictive behaviors. Semi-structured interviews (N = 18 NSHW) and thematic analysis, following consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research recommendations.
Results
Stigma against NSHW was a primary element of a stressful work environment. The stressful and stigmatizing environment, together with night-shift work, further affected NSHW sleep and their mental and physical health. The use of PS appeared to be for self-medication, encouraged by social and professional environments, source(s) of stress, discrimination, and isolation. The work environment, through aggravated sleep disorders, led NSHW to use non-prescribed sleeping pills. Alcohol after work and smoking were used as a social break but also as a means to reduce stress.
Conclusion
Anti-stigma interventions in the healthcare setting and screening of mental/somatic disorders in NSHW can help reduce harmful self-medication behaviors and improve hospital care in the COVID-19 era.
BACKGROUND: Many risk factors related to alteration of circadian rhythms impact the health of night-shift hospital workers (NSHW), resulting in mental and somatic disorders. NSHW working conditions – including a stressful work environment – and related sleep disorders can foster addictive behaviors in this population. To study how the environment affects night shift health workers (NSHW) and whether psychoactive substances (PS) are a self-medication response.METHODS: Qualitative study to verify the plausibility of the self-medication theory applied to addictive behaviors. Semi-structured interviews (N=18 NSHW) and thematic analysis, following consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research recommendations. RESULTS: Both night shift and the stressing and stigmatizing environment affected NSHW mental and physical health. Alcohol after work and smoking were used as a “social” break but also as a means to reduce stress. Alteration of circadian cycles led NSHW to use of non-prescribed sleeping pills. PS appeared as a self-medication act, modulated by social and professional environments, source of stress, discrimination, isolation and social norms. CONCLUSION: Anti-stigma interventions in healthcare setting and screening of mental/somatic disorders in NSHW will help reduce harmful self-medication behaviors and improve hospital care in the COVID era.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.