NCJ Number
219668
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 215-227
Date Published
2007
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between shift work and sleep problems among police officers in Buffalo, New York.
Abstract
Results indicated that overall, night work was significantly and independently associated with snoring and decreased sleep duration. Specifically, there was a 16 percent greater prevalence of snoring among night shift workers in comparison to day and afternoon shift workers. Night shift workers also experienced a 44 percent greater likelihood of getting less than 7 hours of sleep in comparison to day or afternoon shift workers. Additional findings suggest that body mass index may be a risk factor for snoring and that physical activity may be protective for several sleep problems. Future research on shift work and sleep patterns should focus on using increased sample sizes, using more objective methods to assess sleep quality, and should consider using a prospective study design. Participants were 111 randomly selected police officers from the Buffalo, New York Police Department who responded to a questionnaire regarding their sleep quality and quantity, alcohol consumption patterns, smoking status, depression symptoms, demographic characteristics, level of education, lifestyle behaviors, and medical history. Shift work data was obtained from daily payroll records from 1994 through to the date of the questionnaire completion (1999-2000). Data were analyzed using Poisson regression models. Tables, references