Psychological Impacts of (4x4) Shift Work Field study at the Natural Gas Liquefaction Complex in Skikda.

Abstract

 This study aimed to conduct a psychological evaluation of the (4x4) shift work system at the natural gas liquefacion complex (GL1K) in Skikda, focusing on measuring its potential psychological impacts, represented by depression, anxiety, and stress. In addition to asses levels of these impacts among shift workers, the study aimed also to examine their prevalence according to certain demographic Characteristics.

The study was conducted on a convenience sample of 76 individuals out of a total of 552 workers working on (4x4) shift work system at the Skikda Natural Gas Liquefaction Complex (GL1K), operated by Sonatrach petroleum company .

Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire consisting of two parts : The first part covered demographic data, while the second part included the Arabic version of the depression, anxiety, stress scale (dass- 21).

The results showed that participants working on (4x4) shift system, suffer from high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, reaching intensities of 20.88, 18.68, and 27.84 respectively on the (dass-21) scale. These levels all fall into the severe category.

The results also indicated a variation in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among participants. As participants with more seniority in the shift and those who are maried, suffer from higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Finally finding also suggested that participants who chose to work in shifts, suffer from similar levels of depression, anxiety, and stress to those who are assigned to the shift without being asked.

Keywords : shift work ; depression ; anxiety ; stress.