Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

Lindsay Ham

Committee Member

Brian Becker

Second Committee Member

Bill Levine

Third Committee Member

Brandon Bouchillon

Abstract

It is known that lack of sleep, no matter what career a person is in, is detrimental to the overall longevity and health of an individual. Balance of sleep can be easy to attain, especially if one’s work life is able to facilitate it. Healthcare workers, however, often do not have that luxury. Healthcare professionals work a variety of shifts ranging from night shifts, 12-16-hour shifts, regular daytime hours, and being on call during the night. These irregular working schedules can have a detrimental effect on their sleep quality and quantity. If healthcare workers don’t get enough sleep, it can affect their ability to perform quality patient care and can also lead to an increase in medical errors. It is therefore critical to identify coping strategies that are effective at mitigating the effects of lost sleep in this population. Sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns significantly impact healthcare workers due to their demanding schedules, leading to mental and physical health concerns. This study examined the coping strategies healthcare workers use to mitigate these effects, aiming to inform better workplace policies and individual self-care practices. The research consisted of two phases: (1) qualitative interviews to explore personal experiences and coping mechanisms and (2) a survey to quantify the effectiveness and prevalence of these strategies. This paper presents findings from a mixed-methods study exploring coping strategies among healthcare workers who regularly work 12-hour shifts. In the first phase, eight adult female healthcare professionals participated in semi-structured interviews, including individuals with experience as Physician Assistants (PAs), MD/DOs, Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Medical Assistants (MAs), EMTs, and Emergency Room (ER) Technicians. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed a variety of coping strategies, categorized as helpful (e.g., exercising, journaling, meditation) or potentially harmful (e.g., drinking wine, vaping, excessive caffeine use). Participants also reflected on how workplace policies either supported or hindered their ability to engage in healthier behaviors. These insights informed the development of a follow-up survey distributed to a broader sample of healthcare workers (N = 18). Survey findings showed that helpful coping strategies were positively correlated with greater well-being and better sleep health, while harmful strategies were associated with poorer outcomes in both areas. Together, the results emphasize the need for workplace interventions and mental health resources that promote adaptive coping mechanisms and foster healthier environments for shift-based healthcare workers.

Keywords

Shift work; Healthcare workers; Coping strategies; Occupational health; Work-life balance; Sleep disruption

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