An Investigation into Shift Work and Roster Schedule on Sleep, Social Isolation and Stress in the Irish Hospitality Industry

Collins, Sonja (2018) An Investigation into Shift Work and Roster Schedule on Sleep, Social Isolation and Stress in the Irish Hospitality Industry. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Objectives
Empirical research has indicated shift work to attain negative effects on sleep, social isolation, stress and other factors. However, albeit a vast amount of literature has been conducted in this field there were still aspects to be explored. In light of this the main objective of this study was to investigate if the negative impacts of shift work would be identifiable if conducted within the Irish hospitality industry as all previous research was conducted on the nursing population in America. A secondary objective sought to fill a gap in the literature as to date no research has considered the impact that roster schedule may have on sleep, stress and social isolation. The researcher set out to explore these novel aspects and add to the literature.

Method
This study was a mixed method, between groups cross sectional design. The sample was of opportunistic nature consisting of 109 hotel employees working both fixed and shift work schedules in The Republic of Ireland. Various measures were implemented to analyse participants. The Bergan shift work sleep scale, The work non-work interference scale and the perceived stress scale. Additionally, 9 participants took part in a semi-structured interview to investigate their perceptions of shift work and roster schedule. The data within this study was analysed through two-way ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and thematic approach.

Results
Two-way ANOVAS indicated those who worked a fixed work week reported greater levels of sleep, social isolation and stress than their shift work counterparts. Additionally, the one-way ANOVAS indicated the fixed roster group reported greater levels of sleep, social isolation and stress than any other roster schedule. Finally, the qualitative analysis indicated that the individuals reported immense levels of social isolation and stress as a result of shift work and roster schedule. Additionally, participants reported other negative effects of shift work and roster schedule on their health such as lack of exercise and poor diet.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the quantitative analysis indicated fixed workers and the fixed roster group to report greater levels of sleep, social isolation and stress. However, in contrast the qualitative analysis clearly indicated shift workers to experience detriments to their lives resulting from shift work and short roster schedule. However, upon replication of this study a larger sample size must be obtained as this may have impacted the results. Additionally, qualitative analysis should be conducted on both fixed and shift workers to enable researchers to compare their responses.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Hospitality Industry H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Industrial Psychology > Workplace Stress
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2018 10:57
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2018 10:57
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3307

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