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Individual Differences in Circadian Rhythm Parameters and Work-Family Spillover in Shift Workers

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Social and Family Issues in Shift Work and Non Standard Working Hours

Abstract

This chapter, after a review of the existing evidence on the moderating role of individual differences on work-family relationship concentrates on the role of individual differences in circadian rhythm characteristics on this relationship. The aim of the study was to examine whether morningness and circadian type traits (flexibility of sleeping habits and inability to overcome drowsiness), which have been found to be related to tolerance to shift work, can moderate conflict and facilitation between work and family in shift workers. Regression analyses were performed on the results of Work/family Spillover Questionnaire, Circadian Type Questionnaire and Morningness/eveningness Questionnaire completed by 229 male shift workers. The models of regression analyses were significant and showed a predictive power of inability to overcome drowsiness and eveningness in regard to work-family conflict accounting for 22.9 % of variance explained and in regard to family-work conflict accounting for 16.7 % of variance explained. Work-family facilitation was predicted by age and flexibility of sleeping habits accounting for 6.4 % of variance explained. Although, conflict and facilitation between work and family is related to structural factors of both life domains, the findings of this research indicated that conflict and facilitation in shift working population are related to circadian type traits and morningness. Implications for work/family theory and tolerance to shift work are discussed.

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  1. SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty in Poznan, Kutrzeby 10, 60-995, Poznan, Poland

    Irena Iskra-Golec

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  1. Irena Iskra-Golec
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  1. SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznań, Poland

    Irena Iskra-Golec

  2. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut Department of Psychology, STORRS, Connecticut, USA

    Janet Barnes-Farrell

  3. Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia

    Philip Bohle

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Iskra-Golec, I. (2016). Individual Differences in Circadian Rhythm Parameters and Work-Family Spillover in Shift Workers. In: Iskra-Golec, I., Barnes-Farrell, J., Bohle, P. (eds) Social and Family Issues in Shift Work and Non Standard Working Hours. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42286-2_9

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