0821 Gender Differences in Sailor Well-Being, Sleep-Related Behaviors, and Psychomotor Vigilance Performance in the United States Navy
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Authors
Shattuck, Nita Lewis
Matsangas, Panagiotis
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2020-05-27
Date
Published: 27 May 2020
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Language
en_US
Abstract
Introduction: Approximately 18% of US Navy sailors are females. Research has shown gender-related differences in the prevalence of sleep disorders in active duty personnel (Foster et al., 2017). Specifically, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are more prevalent in females, while obstructive sleep apnea is more prevalent in males. We have studied the sleep patterns and fatigue levels of crew members on more than 30 US Navy ships. The current study focuses on gender differences in well-being, sleep-related behaviors, and psychomotor vigilance performance of sailors in the US Navy. Methods: Using a longitudinal, naturalistic observation paradigm, data were collected from crewmembers on nine USN ships while performing their normal underway duties. Participants (N=1,056) tended to be young (on average 27 years of age), predominantly male (80.6%), and enlisted (84.8%). We assessed average daytime alertness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index), mood (Profile of Mood States), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Sleep was assessed with actigraphy and logbooks. Sailors performed a 3-minute version of the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), which was built into their wrist-worn actigraph. Results: Compared to males, female sailors reported more depressive symptoms (p=0.042) and less vigor (p<0.001). Females slept more (daily sleep duration: p<0.001) but their sleep was split into more episodes than their male counterparts (p=0.029). Fewer females reported a regular exercise routine (p=0.033). In addition, females report consuming fewer energy drinks (p=0.007), and using fewer nicotine products (p=0.013). Lastly, consistent with findings from civilian populations, female sailors had slower reaction times on the PVT (p<0.001) and experienced more lapses combined with false starts (p<0.001) than their male counterparts. Conclusion: Compared to their male peers, female sailors tend to report higher levels of depression and lower levels of vigor. They experience more pronounced split sleep, are less likely to report having an exercise routine, and have poorer performance on the PVT. Fewer females report using energy drinks and nicotine products.
Type
Article
Description
17 USC 105 interim-entered record; under review.
The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.817
The article of record as published may be found at https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.817
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
This research was supported by the Naval Medical Research Center’s Advanced Medical Development Program, the US Navy 21st Century Sailor Office, and the US Navy OPNAV N1.
Funding
Format
2 p.
Citation
Sleep, Volume 43, Issue Supplement_1, April 2020, Page A313
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.