Rotating shift work can lead to significant negative outcomes, including sleeping problems, persistent exhaustion, agitation, and an increased likelihood of on-the-job mistakes. It can also contribute to psychological issues like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, research indicates that such work schedules can negatively impact personal relationships, particularly with family.

Consequences of Rotating Shift Work

A rotating shift work schedule can involve working different time blocks across consecutive days, such as a morning shift one day, an overnight or very early shift the next day, and a midday-to-evening shift the day after that.

Example of a Rotating Shift Work Schedule

Rotating shift schedules are common among people who work in health care professions and service industries.

Common Work Settings for Rotating Shift Work

Rotating shift work is a work schedule that changes frequently, often from early to late shifts on a daily or weekly basis. This constant change makes it difficult for an individual to maintain a stable, normal circadian rhythm.

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- Jet Lag
- Rotating work shifts
- Insomnia
- Parasomnia

Disruption of Normal Sleep

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

A collection of symptoms that arises from a mismatch between the body's internal circadian cycles and the external environment. A common cause for this desynchronization is traveling across multiple time zones.

Jet Lag

Insomnia is defined as constant difficulties falling or being asleep. It can also be accompanied by an increase in levels of anxiety.

Insomnia

Rotating Shift Work

A parasomnia is a type of sleep disorder characterized by undesirable and disruptive motor activities or experiences that occur during sleep. These events can take place during either the REM or NREM phases of the sleep cycle.

Parasomnia

Based on the scenario provided, identify the most likely sleep disruption this individual is experiencing and justify your choice by citing at least two specific pieces of evidence from the text.

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