Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2015 Aug;13(2):201-208. 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.201.

The Relationship between Chronotype and Sleep Quality in Korean Firefighters

• Yun JA
• Ahn YS
• Jeong KS
• Joo EJ
• Choi KS

• KMID: 2171053
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2015.13.2.201

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We examined the relationship between chronotype and sleep disturbance, and assessed various factors that might be associated with sleep disturbance in Korean firefighters.
METHODS
Self-administered questionnaires assessing chronotype, depression, alcohol use, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress response and sleep quality were examined in 515 firefighters.
RESULTS
Evening type firefighters more reported depression, alcohol use, PTSD, stress response and sleep disturbance. Also evening chronotype was the most significant risk factor for poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR], 4.812; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.448-9.459), even after controlling for all other variables (OR, 3.996; 95% CI, 1.806-8.841).
CONCLUSION
Chronotype was the factor most strongly associated with sleep disturbance, and therefore should be considered an important variable in sleep quality, particularly in occupations involving stressful activities, such as firefighting.

Keyword

Chronotype; Sleep disturbance; Insomnia; firefighter

MeSH Terms

Depression
Firefighters*
Humans
Occupations
Risk Factors
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic