Psychosocial and physiological risks of shift work in nurses: a cross-sectional study

Many jobs are associated with psychological or social risk factors. Knowledge of occupational diseases is essential for adopting rational control measures. The aim was to study and describe frequent social, psychological and physiological risk factors for nurses. Psychological and social risks were evaluated in nurses with regular or irregular shifts. In addition, differences between nurses or nursing assistants were studied. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, Eating Attitudes Test, Profile of Mood State, Athens Insomnia Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Minnesota Leisure Time were administered. Nursing assistants presented higher levels of body mass index and food restriction than nurses, nevertheless, nurses showed increasing tension in work. In nursing, shift work increases psychosocial risks, insomnia, eating disorders, and trait anxiety. In conclusion, nurses and nursing assistants in health centres and hospitals show high levels of exposure to psychological and psychosocial risks that are unfavourable to their health.