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Latent profile analysis of health and fatigue recovery among shift work nurses and differential associations with participation in a shift work improvement pilot project: a descriptive cross-sectional study
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eunhee Jung, Eunhye Kim, suryang seo, Sunyoung Lee, Sora An, Hyejin Kim, Ye seul Kim, Youjin Kim, mijeong Park, Hyoun-Joong Kong, Saram Lee, YEONG JOO HONG, Minho Jung
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Received January 21, 2026 Accepted June 12, 2026 Published online June 29, 2026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.26006
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Abstract
ePub
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This study aimed to identify latent profiles of shift-work nurses according to perceived health, fatigue, and recovery levels and to examine differences across profiles in work-related outcomes, including sleep quality, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. It also examined whether patterns associated with participation in a shift-work improvement pilot project differed by latent profile.
Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study included 120 shift-work nurses working in pediatric wards at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Data were collected from January 14 to 24, 2025. Latent profile analysis was performed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery Scale. Differences in outcomes by latent profile membership and pilot-project participation status at the time of data collection were examined using two-way analysis of covariance, with age included as a covariate.
Results Three latent profiles were identified: Healthy-Recovery (20.8%), Moderate (41.7%), and Burnout-Vulnerable (37.5%). Significant differences among profiles were observed in sleep quality (F=37.37, p<.001), work-life balance (F=50.86, p<.001), job satisfaction (F=12.29, p<.001), and turnover intention (F=12.11, p<.001). A significant interaction between latent profile membership and pilot-project participation was observed for job satisfaction (F=4.77, p=.010, partial η²=.078). Pilot-project participation was associated with significantly higher job satisfaction only in the Healthy-Recovery profile (p=.005).
Conclusion Associations between pilot-project participation and work-related outcomes differed according to nurses’ health, fatigue, and recovery profiles. These findings indicate that heterogeneity among shift-work nurses should be considered when interpreting work-related outcomes and designing tailored support strategies.
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