
pmid: 32109155
Objective The study had two objectives: (a) to assess the prevalence of sleep-related habitability concerns in the berthing compartments of U.S. Navy surface ships and (b) to assess whether habitability issues in berthing compartments affected the sleep and well-being of crew members. Background The importance of habitability for human well-being is recognized. Little is known, however, about the association between habitability factors in the sleeping/berthing compartments and sailor well-being in operational conditions. Method Fit-for-duty sailors ( N = 1,269; from six ships) participated in this naturalistic and longitudinal study. Sailors reported habitability factors affecting their sleep and completed four standardized questionnaires to assess daytime sleepiness, insomnia, sleep quality, and mood. Sleep was assessed through wrist-worn actigraphy and activity logs. Results Noise, ambient temperature, poor bedding conditions, and ambient light were the most frequently reported factors of concern. Compared to their peers with fewer complaints, sailors with more habitability-related complaints were more likely to have elevated daytime sleepiness (by 23%) and to report insomnia symptoms (145%) and lower sleep quality (21%). Sailors who reported more habitability-related issues also tended to sleep longer. Individuals with more complaints about habitability also tended to report worse mood (total mood disturbance, tension/anxiety, depression, fatigue, and confusion/bewilderment). Conclusion Habitability-related complaints are associated with sailor well-being and sleep. Future studies should expound on the various detrimental factors that degrade conditions in berthing compartments and negatively impact crew well-being. Application Habitability in berthing compartments of surface ships is associated with sailors’ daytime sleepiness, insomnia severity, mood, and sleep attributes. Ship designers should take these findings into consideration and investigate viable and cost-effective methods to mitigate the problems we identified.
noise, insomnia, mood, temperature, sleep disruptions, naval ships, habitability, Military Personnel, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, sleep, light, Sleep, Fatigue, Ships
noise, insomnia, mood, temperature, sleep disruptions, naval ships, habitability, Military Personnel, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, sleep, light, Sleep, Fatigue, Ships
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 35 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
