Nursing Open (Feb 2023)

Mediating effect of circadian rhythm between work stress and sleep quality in Chinese shift‐working nurses: A cross‐sectional survey

  • Songqi Wu,
  • Caiqin Wu,
  • Xiaohan Wang,
  • Wenling Fei,
  • Yue Fu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1322
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 2
pp. 560 – 569

Abstract

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Abstract Aim This study examined the mediating effect of circadian rhythm amplitude (LV) and stability (FR) between work stress and sleep quality among Chinese shift‐working nurses (SWNs). Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods Three‐hundred and seventy‐nine nurses working in shifts were investigated by convenient sampling from six hospitals in Shanghai, China. The mediating effect was analysed using the structural equation model with bootstrapping procedures. Results Work stress could directly affect shift nurses' sleep quality and indirectly affect sleep quality through circadian rhythm amplitude and stability. The total indirect effects of work stress on sleep quality accounted for 36.7% of the total effect. The study revealed that poor sleep quality is very common among SWNs, which deserves attention. The mediating effect of the circadian rhythm provides new insights to improve sleep quality, not only by lightening the work stress but also by improving circadian rhythm in SWNs.

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