0331 Opportunities to Improve Sleep and Circadian Health in Active Duty Service Members

Abstract Introduction Insufficient sleep and circadian disruption have both psychological and physiological consequences that impact the health and safety of military service members, yet research shows only about one-third of service members meet recommended sleep duration guidelines. To address this issue, interventions must be developed that are tailored to meet the specific needs of this community. Although substantial research has identified the adverse impacts of poor sleep, limited research has examined the underlying contextual factors that contribute to it between service branches or in different operational settings. Thus, the objective of this qualitative study was to identify factors that impede sleep health among active duty Marines. Methods Four focus groups were conducted with 23 active duty Enlisted Marines (87% male; 13% female). The semi-structured focus group guide assessed factors that impact sleep in Marines. Interview transcripts were analyzed using applied thematic analysis by two independent coders. Results All focus group participants reported low satisfaction with their sleep quality or duration. The most commonly reported barriers to sleep were work schedules. Many participants reported regularly working long and/or varied hours as part of their standard schedule, and others described unpredictable schedules due to frequently being kept at work late to complete unfinished tasks or for punitive reasons. Participants also described how Marine Corps culture influenced their attitudes towards sleep and sleep-related behavior — even when acknowledging the adverse effects of insufficient sleep on performance and mental health, participants described forgoing it for the sake of the mission, e.g., “It's very important to keep in mind that mission accomplishment is more important than, like, a night of sleep.” Conclusion Poor sleep and circadian health were viewed by study participants as inherent to military service. However, the most salient barriers reported by Marines are potentially modifiable through scheduling interventions and interventions designed to reduce sleep stigma and promote healthy sleep hygiene. Support (if any)