Relationship between shift type and sleep quality in rotating-shift nurses with chronotype as a moderator variable

Background: Rotating-shift nurses are susceptible to sleep disorders due to numerous factors, such as their biological clock, emotions, and age. At present, a lack of research exists on whether chronotype and shift type jointly influence the sleep quality of nurses. Aim: To verify whether chronotype is a moderator variable of the relationship between shift type and sleep quality in nurses in order to provide empirical evidence for future mental and physical health improvement. Method: Clinical rotating-shift nurses at a medical center in northern Taiwan were recruited as participants between November 1, 2023, and December 13, 2023. All of the nurses were working a monthly rotating shift schedule. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to investigate whether the influence of shift type on sleep quality in nurses varied with chronotype. The STROBE checklist was used for reporting this study. Results: The participants were 255 rotating-shift nurses in this study. Hierarchical multiple regression results revealed that rotating-shift nurses who were older (B = 0.19, p = 0.029), had greater physical fatigue (B = 0.27, p = 0.016), and had more negative emotions (B = 0.17, p = 0.011) suffered from poorer sleep quality. After controlling the above factors, we further found that chronotype indeed had moderating effects on the influence of shift type on sleep quality (B = −1.83, p = 0.049). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that early- and intermediate-type nurses are more suitable for working the day and evening shifts, whereas late-type nurses are more suitable for working the night shift. Implication for nursing and health policy: Coordinating chronotype with shift type will ensure that shift schedules better match the biological clocks of nurses; such individual considerations could help to improve their sleep quality.