Extended shifts in ambulance work: influences on health

Shiftwork is a major source of stress for many workers. This study highlights the role that organizational and psychosocial variables play in alleviating the negative health effects of 10‐ and 14‐h shifts. It examines the direct and mediated effects of coping strategies, social support and control of shifts on work/non‐work conflict and subjective health. Participants are 60 ambulance workers, aged 22 to 55 years. A structural equation model with good fit demonstrates complex effects of social support from various sources (supervisors, co‐workers and family), coping and control on work/non‐work conflict and subjective health. Conceptually, the research contributes to the development of a theoretical framework that can assist in explaining how key psychosocial and organizational variables influence the psychological and physical symptoms experienced by shiftworkers.