Evaluation of Correlation between Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders in a Population of Night Shift Workers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is the perception of inadequate, insufficient or non-restorative sleep. Of all sleep-related disorders, insomnia is the most common. It is important to remember that the sleep–wake cycle also plays a central role in the genesis of anxiety and depression. The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between sleep disturbances and anxiety and depression in a group of workers of both sexes who perform night shift work. Methods: Information on sleep disorders was collected by administering the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test to assess whether there were any differences between sex for those who were healthy or who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Results: The results showed that there was a good percentage of subjects with insomnia problems, impairing normal daily activities and promoting the onset of fatigue, daytime sleepiness, cognitive performance deficits and mood disorders. Conclusion: We highlighted how anxious and depressive anxiety disorders are more pronounced in people who suffer from altered sleep–wake rhythms. Further research in this direction could prove to be fundamental for understanding the genesis of the onset of other disorders as well.

Correlation among job-induced stress, overall well-being, and cardiovascular risk in Italian workers of logistics and distribution

“…Our results are also consistent with previous research indicating a possible influence of work-related stress dimensions on psychological well-being, independent of other potential confounders such as shift work. In fact, night shifts could lead to alterations in circadian rhythms with an increased risk of developing sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders ( 47 , 48 ). However, it is possible that other factors not considered, such as domestic stress or job-specific factors (e.g., security personnel), influenced our results ( 49 ).…”

Work and environmental factors on job burnout: A cross-sectional study among doctors for sustainable work

“…The current crisis of medical staff employed in public hospitals, where, due to a lack of human, organizational and instrumental resources, an exodus to private facilities has been taking place for years, the impact of which in the media has exacerbated the working difficulties of doctors, who are dissatisfied with their work, partly sees its reasons in the phenomenon of burnoutburnouth-risk event for any working organization, both in terms of staff health and the activity and productivity of the sector, especially the health sector [58]. The impetus for this work therefore came from the perspective of investigating the reasons why medical personnel, employed in public facilities, do not achieve a sustainable working condition that facilitates the development of their professionalism, thus ensuring an adequate work-life balance, and leave their jobs [59,60].…”

“…If the working environment does not meet workers' needs, and if shifts are excessively exhausting, there is a reduction in their energy and enthusiasm, with various negative consequences, including a high rate of absenteeism, reduced performance, an increased risk of occupational accidents, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, which are in turn causes of more complex neuropsychiatric disorders [13,[21][22][23][24].…”

From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context

“…Contextual cues then produce the overwhelming, urgent, and irrepressible desire to resort to the drug againand again [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 31 ]. This process is related to changes in the amygdala [ 32 , 33 ] resulting in negative emotional states and sleep disruption [ 86 , 87 ]. Most importantly, sleep deficiency promotes further vulnerability to compulsive behaviors and addictions, which is now recognized as a worldwide problem [ 88 ].…”