P052 Mental health predictors for shift work disorder in paramedics during their early career

INTRODUCTION: Shift work disorder (SWD) involves excessive sleepiness and/or insomnia and is associated with poor health outcomes in those affected. This study assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for SWD during the first six-months of paramedics’ careers. Furthermore, the study explored potential mediators in the relationship between mental health and SWD risk. METHODS: Recruit paramedics’ (n=101) SWD risk (SWD-Screening Questionnaire) was assessed at baseline (i.e., before shift work) and at six-months after engaging in shift work as a graduate paramedic. Logistic regression models assessed whether baseline depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and baseline anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7) predicted a high risk for SWD at six-months. Lavaan path analysis was used to assess whether shift and sleep variables, created from participants’ sleep and work diaries, mediated the relationship between mental health and SWD risk. RESULTS: After six-months of emergency work 21.5% of paramedics were high risk for SWD. Baseline depression predicted 1.28-times greater odds for SWD at six-months. Shift and sleep variables were not mediators in the relationship between baseline mental health and subsequent SWD risk. Baseline depression was independently associated with increased sleepiness levels following paramedics’ major sleep periods across all work conditions (nightshift, workdays, and non-workdays) at six-months. Depression levels before shift work also predicted a greater perceived workload on nightshifts. CONCLUSIONS: Depression symptoms before starting shift work are a modifiable risk factor for SWD. Moreover, the first six-months of paramedics’ careers is a critical period for implementing preventative measures for SWD, including interventions to decrease depression symptoms.