Assessment of Anxiety Level and Mental Health Status in Spouses and Children of Day-Working and Shift-Working Men

Abstract

The present study was aimed at assessing the effects of the unusual schedules of shift-working men on anxiety and mental health of their spouses and children. The anxiety and mental health of 396 subjects that include 133 spouses and 263 children of day-working and shift-working men were monitored by employing specific inventory. Anxiety scales (trait, state and free-floating) and mental health inventory were administrated to each subject. Results indicate that the average levels of free-floating anxiety for the spouses and children of shift-working men were found to be significantly higher in comparison with that of their counterparts sampled in the family of day workers. This was also true when data were segregated with respect of gender and compared. Except in female children of shift workers all other groups of children had statistically significantly higher level of state anxiety as compared with that of their respective mothers. The results of this study further reveal that the spouses of shift-working men exhibited lower mental health rating as compared with the spouses of day-working men. Furthermore, a significant negative relationship was noticed between anxiety and mental health in all cases excepting in spouses of shift-working men for state anxiety. Although the findings of the present study could be attributed to the irregular routine of shift workers, it appears mandatory to carryout further intensive studies to draw convincing conclusions.