The Impact of Shift Schedules and Personality on Sleep Duration and Quality Among European Air Traffic Controllers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Shift work negatively impacts sleep, a finding supported by numerous studies among healthcare personnel. However, there is a scarcity of studies on how shift work impact sleep among air traffic controllers, a profession predominantly involving shift work. This master's thesis employs a cross-sectional design to examine the effect of shift transitions on sleep- related outcomes among air traffic controllers. We convenience sampled 473 European air traffic controllers for a survey, where we examined various shifts and shift transitions, as well as sleep habits using questions from the Consensus Sleep Diary, personality traits using the International Personality Item Pool, circadian traits using the Circadian Type Inventory, and the reduced Horne-Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. The results showed that the end time of an evening shift and the rest period between shifts were associated with a reduction in sleep duration and quality. Quick returns, defined as shifts with less than 11 hours of rest in between, and night shifts were significantly associated to a reduction in both sleep duration and quality. The personality traits conscientiousness and neuroticism were, respectively, positively and negatively related to sleep quality in all shift combinations, and with sleep duration ahead of morning shifts. The circadian traits languidity and flexibility, which is believed to reflect the amplitude and stability of the circadian rhythm, were respectively negatively and positively related to the air traffic controller’s restfulness on the next day shift. We did not find any association between the time interval from the end of an evening shift to bedtime and the sleep onset latency regardless of the next day shift. These findings highlight the need to improve shift and roster planning to ensure increase sleep duration and improve sleep quality, thereby indirectly influencing the safety level in air traffic services. Future research should employ a longitudinal design to validate the findings.