Psychological Symptoms Analysis of Night Duty Workers by Symptom Checklist-90-Revision

Kim, Chang Yeop; Huh, Bong Yul

Abstract

Many physical and psychological problems, involved in shiftwork were noted, including peptic ulcer, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep disturbances, anxiety, etc. But emotional and psychological problems in nighttime workers were not sufficientiy investigated. To evaluate psychological problems encountered by night duty workers, Symptom Checklist-90-Revision was administered to 61 workers, including 47 night duty workers and 14 ordinary daytime workers, and the results of the both groups were compared. 1. Of 9 symptom dimensions, depression and hostility showed significantly higher scores in night duty workers. 2. Three global indicies(GSI, PST, PSDI) of night duty workers were higher than those of daytime workers, but statistically not significant. 3. Scores in all symptom dimensions, except somatization and hostilithy, of investigation group were lower than those of norm group. 4. In night duty workers, duration of night-time work per day was positively correlated with depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety and psychoticism. From the above results, it was suggested that psychological health maintenance program should be developed for night duty workers.