ABSTRACT.
In researches about the impact shift work has on the social and family domains, the effects are more commonly studied from the workers perspective. Bearing this in mind, the present research intends to understand the impacts of shift work on the family and social domains in the perspective of shift workers’ children. Nineteen children from shift working parents took part in this research. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview addressing topics such as family time, communication, and school support. In general, the results indicate negative effects (family time, parental education, school support, regular activities, occasional activities, and communication), positive effects (school support, follow-up occasional activities), or no effects perceived in the areas evaluated. The impacts perceived by children in the different areas evaluated are largely dependent on the parents’ type of work schedule, flexibility allowed, and the management of working hours (e.g., possibility of exchange shifts or not).
Keywords:
Shift work; family and social life; children’s perspective