Laying the foundation: exploring the family impact of public safety personnel sleep health

This narrative review of reviews establishes crucial groundwork for future research on the family impact of sleep health issues among public safety personnel (PSP), including but not limited to firefighters, police, and paramedics. The review aimed to explore how the unique occupational demands and sleep health challenges faced by public safety personnel can reverberate through their family systems. A systematic search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in June 2024 to identify and synthesize relevant research. Findings were analyzed using the family impact framework. Results indicate that PSP experience high rates of sleep disturbances linked to shift work, trauma exposure, and work stress, with far-reaching consequences. Applying a family-centred lens highlighted the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and family well-being. Addressing a major gap in the literature, this review outlines a comprehensive research agenda focused on the family context to guide future studies. By establishing this agenda, the review provides a strong foundation for developing tailored interventions and policies that support PSP and their families.