Qualidade do sono, cronótipos e estados emocionais: o caso de enfermeiros portugueses que trabalham por turnos

Abstract

Some chronobiological scientists argue that the most important contribution of chronobiology in the area of human activity is the notion of variability of the biological functions throughout the 24 hours of the day. Workers tend to react differently to the same
work situation, depending on the time of the day. Repercussions on the impact of the inversion of the cycle vigil sleep such as spalling of day sleep, Martino and Cipolla -Neto (1999)’s studies show that the night work in occupations such as nursing, where high responsibility in being vigilant is demanded, day sleep is not always enough to repair.

The present research analyzed the variability of the biological function (sleep) and behaviour throughout the day of nurses who work in shifts. Study participants were Portuguese nurses working in a Lisbon public hospital, using an intentional sample (72). Five questionnaires were used: questionnaire about sociodemographic data; Wake-Sleep Cycle (Daily of Sleep); Horne & Östberg (1976)’s questionnaire on chronotype; List of Present Emotional State (LEP) and Pittsburgh Quality Index of Sleep (PSQI).

Results show a variety of chronotypes, the most frequent being the indifferent ( 64,62%) Nurses were emotionally stable. The quality of sleep was of better quality (PSQI) for the group aged below 30 then for the group over 30 years old. The amount of sleep was greater for those bellow 30 in comparison with those over 30. It is hypothesized that the variables age and rotative schedules could interfer in the welfare of the nurse.