The importance of individual preferences when evaluating the associations between working hours and indicators of health and well-being

TY - JOUR

T1 - The importance of individual preferences when evaluating the associations between working hours and indicators of health and well-being

AU - Nabe-Nielsen, Kirsten

AU - Kecklund, Göran

AU - Ingre, Michael

AU - Skotte, Jørgen

AU - Diderichsen, Finn

AU - Garde, Anne Helene

PY - 2010/10/1

Y1 - 2010/10/1

N2 - Previous studies indicate that the effect of a given shift schedule may depend on individual factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a misfit between individual preferences and actual working hours affected the association between working hours and self-reported indicators of health and well-being. The study population consisted of 173 female eldercare workers who mainly worked day or evening shifts. We combined self-reported questionnaire data on preferences with actual work schedules during a four-week period. The study showed that a misfit between preferences on one hand and "non-day work", "weekend work" or "only a few consecutive days off" on the other hand was associated with an increased dissatisfaction with working hours and/or an increase in the intention to leave the workplace due to one's working hours.

AB - Previous studies indicate that the effect of a given shift schedule may depend on individual factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a misfit between individual preferences and actual working hours affected the association between working hours and self-reported indicators of health and well-being. The study population consisted of 173 female eldercare workers who mainly worked day or evening shifts. We combined self-reported questionnaire data on preferences with actual work schedules during a four-week period. The study showed that a misfit between preferences on one hand and "non-day work", "weekend work" or "only a few consecutive days off" on the other hand was associated with an increased dissatisfaction with working hours and/or an increase in the intention to leave the workplace due to one's working hours.

KW - Attitude of Health Personnel

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Nurses

KW - Nurses' Aides

KW - Occupational Health

KW - Personnel Staffing and Scheduling

KW - Work Schedule Tolerance

U2 - 10.1016/j.apergo.2010.01.004

DO - 10.1016/j.apergo.2010.01.004

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 20117761

SN - 0003-6870

VL - 41

SP - 779

EP - 786

JO - Applied Ergonomics

JF - Applied Ergonomics

IS - 6

ER -