Influence of professional experience and work schedule on sleep quality.

Introduction: Extended work hours have been associated with negative impacts on workers' physical and mental health, including stress, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Night shift workers or those with irregular schedules are particularly affected due to circadian rhythm disruptions, which impair sleep quality and occupational health.

Objectives: To investigate the sleep-wake patterns of daytime and nighttime shift workers by analyzing sleep efficiency, latency, total sleep duration, and frequency of nighttime awakenings.

Methods: A longitudinal exploratory study was conducted with 15 workers (mean age = 27.93; standard deviation = ± 8.50) in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. The instruments used were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index, and actigraphy. Data collection was carried out using actigraphy for 7 consecutive days, covering the entire workweek, including weekends.

Results: Workers with over 10 years of experience showed higher insomnia severity, lower sleep efficiency, and a greater number of awakenings (p < 0.05). Morning shift workers had better sleep patterns, with longer duration and higher efficiency compared to afternoon/night shift workers.

Conclusions: Sleep quality among workers is influenced by professional experience, time in the role, and work schedule. Adjustments in working conditions that consider circadian rhythms and chronotype are essential for improving sleep health and productivity. Sleep management strategies should be implemented to promote well-being and performance.