Whether meeting basic needs can reduce the harmful effects of shift work: A pilot study

In a sample of 252 shift workers, autonomy was negatively related to physical fatigue and digestive troubles.

• Competence showed a negative relationship with mental fatigue.
• Relatedness was correlated with insomnia and mental fatigue but was not significant in a regression model accounting for other factors.
• Sleep medication was significant for insomnia but did not relate to fatigue or digestive issues.
• Demographic factors and work schedule variables did not show associations with fatigue, insomnia, or digestive troubles.
• Basic needs of autonomy and competence may be more influential on fatigue and digestive troubles than work arrangement variables.

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