0313 Sleep Practice Profiles and Sleep Disturbance in Career Firefighters

Abstract Introduction Shiftworking firefighters often face chronic sleep disruptions, yet little is understood about how they manage these challenges. This study aims to examine how different sleep practice patterns relate to sleep disturbances among firefighters. Methods Career firefighters (N=290) working shift schedules from 20 fire agencies in Arizona were administered a survey as part of the Sleep Assistance for Firefighters (SAFFIRE) study. Demographics, occupational factors, sleep practices from the Sleep Practices and Attitudes Questionnaire, and sleep disturbance from PROMIS-Sleep Disturbance short-form (version 8b) were collected. An exploratory factor analysis was used to group similar sleep practices together. Next, a latent profile analysis classified firefighters into profiles based on shared sleep practice patterns. Finally, an ANCOVA compared mean sleep disturbance across profiles and firefighter rank while adjusting for years working nights and agency call volume. Results Results of the exploratory factor analysis grouped sleep practices into 1) staying in bed, 2) doing a productive activity (e.g., exercising, and doing chores), 3) doing a passive activity (e.g., listening to music, eating/drinking, and using a screened device), and 4) using alcohol and/or marijuana. The latent profile analysis then classified firefighters into Riser, Stay-in-Bed, and Substance-Use profiles. Mean sleep disturbance did not vary between profiles. However, firefighter rank (F = 23.31, p <.001, ηp2 = 0.08) and its interaction with sleep practice profiles (F = 3.57, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.03) were significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Conclusion Managers with the Riser and Stay-in-Bed profiles had significantly less disturbance compared to managers with the Substance-Use profile and non-managerial staff regardless of sleep practice profile. Future research needs to determine role-specific factors that contribute to differences in sleep disturbance between firefighter ranks. Support (if any) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL162799)