The association between shift work, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life among workers in the logistics industry

The booming online shopping industry has accelerated the growth of logistic services,
often subjecting workers to irregular schedules. This study aims to examine the
association between night-shift work and health-related quality of life among logistics
workers, with a special focus on the mediating role of sleep characteristics. A survey
was conducted among logistics workers across China, who filled out an online
questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information about shift work, sleep
characteristics, health-related quality of life, various sociodemographic factors, and
specific job categories. The Insomnia Severity Index measured sleep quality, while the
12-Item Short Form Health Survey assessed health-related quality of life, including the
physical and mental components. Linear regression analysis and structural equation
modeling were used to examine the proposed associations and conduct mediation
analysis, respectively. Out of the 484 respondents, 352 (72.7%) worked night shifts.
These workers were predominantly males, smokers, alcohol users, less educated, and
those with longer working hours involved in goods transportation and distribution. Our
results showed a considerable trend of declining general health when transitioning
from day to night shifts. There was a negative association between the frequency of
night shift work and physical health. Specifically, those who worked more than 12 night
shifts a month reported poorer health compared to those working permanent daytime,
after adjustments for confounding variables. Sleep quality emerged as a significant
mediator in this relationship. Our findings underscore the need to prioritize improving
sleep quality to enhance the health and well-being of logistics workers.