ABSTRACT

Background:

Medical residencies are highly demanding and stressful and have been associated with mental and emotional problems. Studies that evaluated this relationship in Italian psychiatry residents are scarce. In this study, we examined sleep quality and its association with perceived stress and caffeinated beverages consumption in Italian psychiatry residents.

Methods:

Seventy-two PGY1–5 psychiatry residents at two University Hospitals in Italy were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to determine the sleep quality and the level of daytime sleepiness (EDS). In addition, we investigated perceived stress and caffeinated drinks consumption (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks).

Results:

Seventy psychiatry residents responded to the survey (97.2% response rate) (M= 34.3%, F = 65.7%; mean age = 30.5 – 4.2 SD years). 44.3%had poor sleep quality and 15.7% had abnormal EDS. 64.3%reported significant perceived stress. Perceived stress score and coffee consumption were associated with greater likelihood of poor sleep quality.

Conclusions:

Psychiatry residents have high prevalence of poor sleep quality. Future longitudinal studies are needed to investigate causality and identify appropriate coping strategies and lifestyle changes aimed to improve mental health in psychiatry trainees.