Research group Work hours, recovery and safety

Tucker, P., Epstein, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2026). Promoting Sustainable Work Hours Through Participatory Scheduling: A Cross-Sectional Study Employing Objective Working Time Data. Journal of Nursing Management. doi: 10.1155/jonm/4164713

Epstein, M., Söderström, M., Rudman, A., Tucker, P., & Dahlgren, A. (2026). The importance of self-care and contextual factors: A process evaluation of a recovery intervention for new nurses. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 100485. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2026.100485

Jennysdotter Olofsgård, F., Ran, C., Spulber, S., Steinberg, A., Sjöstrand, C., Waldenlind, E., Lantz, M., Sundholm, A., Söderström, M., Dahlgren, A., & Belin, A. C. (2025). Characterization of insomnia and sleep quality in a cohort with cluster headache. Headache, 65(8), 1294–1307. doi: 10.1111/head.15034

Ros, A., Danielsson, C., Dahlgren, A., Ekstedt, M., Pukk Härenstam, K., Unbeck, M., & Walfridsson, H. (2025). Knowledge of patient safety is important for physicians - Swedish national competency goals for patient safety. Läkartidningen, 122.

Öster, K., Söderström, M., Tucker, P., Axelsson, J., Kecklund, G., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). Quick Returns: A Quasi‐Experimental Field Study on the Effects on Sleep, Fatigue and Cognitive Performance. Journal of Sleep Research, e70244. doi: 10.1111/jsr.70244

Eriksson, B., Svartengren, M., Göras, C., Dahlgren, A., Lindblom, J., & Arakelian, E. (2025). When is digital documentation at its best? Swedish perioperative nurses’ experiences of digital documentation and its impact at their work environment: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 15(12), e104968. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104968

Hernandez, I., Rudman, A., Tucker, P., Kecklund, G., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). A Longitudinal Study of Nursing Staffs’ Shift Schedules during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies. doi: 10.18291/njwls.156659

Hernandez, I., Arakelian, E., Rudman, A., & Dahlgren, A. (2024). An Organizational Recovery Paradox in Managing Working Hours, Staffing, and Recovery During the COVID-19 Pandemic - a Qualitative Study. Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 9(1), 6–6. doi: 10.16993/sjwop.286

Öster, K., Tucker, P., Söderström, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2024). Quick returns, sleep, sleepiness and stress – An intra-individual field study on objective sleep and diary data. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 50(6), 466–474. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.4175

Hernandez, I., Söderström, M., Rudman, A., & Dahlgren, A. (2024). Under pressure - Nursing staff’s perspectives on working hours and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 7, 100225. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100225

Epstein, M., Arakelian, E., Tucker, P., & Dahlgren, A. (2023). Managing Sustainable Working Hours within Participatory Working Time Scheduling for Nurses and Assistant Nurses: A Qualitative Interview Study with Managers and Staffing Assistants. Journal of Nursing Management, 1–12. doi: 10.1155/2023/8096034

Ran, C., Jennysdotter Olofsgård, F., Steinberg, A., Sjöstrand, C., Waldenlind, E., Dahlgren, A., & Belin, A. C. (2023). Patients with cluster headache show signs of insomnia and sleep related stress: results from an actigraphy and self-assessed sleep study. Journal of Headache and Pain, 24(1), 114. doi: 10.1186/s10194-023-01650-w

Öster, K., Tucker, P., Söderström, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2023). Pros and cons of quick returns—a cross-sectional survey among Swedish nurses and nurse assistants. Industrial Health, 61(5), 2022–0033. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.2022-0033

Dahlgren, A., Tucker, P., Epstein, M., Gustavsson, P., & Söderström, M. (2022). Randomised control trial of a proactive intervention supporting recovery in relation to stress and irregular work hours: effects on sleep, burn-out, fatigue and somatic symptoms. Occupational and Environmental Medicine (London, England), 79(7), 460–468. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107789

Dahlgren, A., Tucker, P., Bujacz, A., Frögéli, E., Rudman, A., & Gustavsson, P. (2021). Intensive longitudinal study of newly graduated nurses’ quick returns and self-rated stress. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 47(5), 404–407. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3962

Bujacz, A., Rudman, A., Gustavsson, P., Dahlgren, A., & Tucker, P. (2021). Psychosocial working conditions of shiftworking nurses: A long‐term latent transition analysis. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(8), 2603–2610. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13430

Rudman, A., Arborelius, L., Dahlgren, A., Finnes, A., & Gustavsson, P. (2020). Consequences of early career nurse burnout: A prospective long-term follow-up on cognitive functions, depressive symptoms, and insomnia. EClinicalMedicine, 27, 100565. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100565

Dall’Ora, C., & Dahlgren, A. (2020). Shift work in nursing: closing the knowledge gaps and advancing innovation in practice. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 112, 103743. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103743

Epstein, M., Söderström, M., Jirwe, M., Tucker, P., & Dahlgren, A. (2020). Sleep and fatigue in newly graduated nurses—Experiences and strategies for handling shiftwork. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(1–2), 184–194. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15076

Hellström, A., Kassaye Tessma, M., Flink, M., Dahlgren, A., Schildmeijer, K., & Ekstedt, M. (2019). Validation of the patient activation measure in patients at discharge from hospitals and at distance from hospital care in Sweden. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1701. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-8025-1

Dahlgren, A., Tucker, P., Gustavsson, P., & Rudman, A. (2016). Quick returns and night work as predictors of sleep quality, fatigue, work-family balance and satisfaction with work hours. Chronobiology International, 33(6), 759–67. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2016.1167725

Ekstedt, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2015). Safe care also in the home: a future challenge. Läkartidningen, 112.

van Leeuwen, W. M. A., Kircher, A., Dahlgren, A., Lützhöft, M., Barnett, M., Kecklund, G., & Åkerstedt, T. (2013). Sleep, Sleepiness, and Neurobehavioral Performance While on Watch in a Simulated 4 Hours on/8 Hours off Maritime Watch System. Chronobiology International, 30(9), 1108–1115. doi: 10.3109/07420528.2013.800874

Lützhöft, M., Dahlgren, A., Kircher, A., Thorslund, B., & Gillberg, M. (2010). Fatigue at sea in Swedish shipping-a field study. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 53(7), 733–40. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20814

Tucker, P., Brown, M., Dahlgren, A., Davies, G., Ebden, P., Folkard, S., Hutchings, H., & Åkerstedt, T. (2010). The Impact of Junior Doctors’ Worktime Arrangements on Their Fatigue and well-being. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 36(6), 458–465. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2985

Brown, M., Tucker, P., Rapport, F., Hutchings, H., Dahlgren, A., Davies, G., & Ebden, P. (2010). The impact of shift patterns on junior doctors’ perceptions of fatigue, training, work/life balance and the role of social support. BMJ Quality & Safety, 19(6), e36-4. doi: 10.1136/qshc.2008.030734

Dahlgren, A., Kecklund, G., Theorell, T., & Åkerstedt, T. (2009). Day-to-day variation in saliva cortisol--relation with sleep, stress and self-rated health. Biological psychology, 82(2), 149–55. 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.07.001

Tucker, P., Dahlgren, A., Akerstedt, T., & Waterhouse, J. (2008). The impact of free-time activities on sleep, recovery and well-being. Applied Ergonomics, 39(5), 653–662. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2007.12.002

Dahlgren, A., Kecklund, G., & Åkerstedt, T. (2006). Overtime Work and Its Effects on Sleep, Sleepiness, Cortisol and Blood Pressure in an Experimental Field Study. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health, 32(4), 318–327. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1016

Dahlgren, A., Kecklund, G., & Åkerstedt, T. (2005). Different Levels of work-related Stress and the Effects on Sleep, Fatigue and Cortisol. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health, 31(4), 277–285. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.883

Dahlgren, A., Åkerstedt, T., & Kecklund, G. (2004). Individual Differences in the Diurnal Cortisol Response to Stress. Chronobiology International, 21(6), 913–922. doi: 10.1081/CBI-200035937

Kecklund, G., Ekstedt, M., Åkerstedt, T., Dahlgren, A., & Samuelson, B. (2001). The effects of double-shifts (15.5 hours) on sleep, fatigue and health. Journal of Human Ergology, 30(1–2), 53–8.

Book Chapters

Tucker, P., Beckers, G.J.D., Dahlgren, A., & Geurts, S. (2023). Non-standard Working Arrangements. In M. Peeters, J. de Jonge, & T. Taris (Eds.), An Introduction to Contemporary Work Psychology.

Dahlgren, A., & Eriksson, M. (2019). Arbetsmiljö och patientsäkerhet – individens och arbetsgivarens ansvar. In M. Ekstedt, & M. Flink (Eds.), Hemsjukvård. Olika perspektiv på trygg och säker vård. Liber förlag. ISBN. 978-91-47-11277-7

Taris, T., Beckers, D., Dahlgren, A., Geurts, S., & Tucker, P. (2007). Overtime work and well-being: Prevalence, conceptualization and effects of working overtime. In J. Houdmont (Ed.), Occupational Health Psychology: European Perspectives on Research, Education and Practice (pp. 21–41). ISMAI Publishers.

Reports and monographs

Dahlgren, A., Öster, K., Söderström, M., Epstein, M., & Brulin, E. (2023). Forskningsöversikt över korta vilotider samt rekommendationer för säker och hälsosam arbetstidsförläggning - Ändrade regler för dygnsvila inom kommun- och regionsektorn (Rapport 2023:11).

Rudman, A., Melander, S., Lindström, V, Falk, L., Hörberg A., Ehrenberg, A., Wallin, L., Rasoal, D., Dahlgren, A., Boström, A.M., Gustavsson, P., & Dahl, O. (2022). Sjuksköterskor i frontlinjen av COVID-19 pandemin: Vilka blev konsekvenserna? Teknisk rapport om enkät och datainsamling. (Rapport 2022:4). Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Dahlgren, A., & Söderström, M. Handbok i återhämtning. Fulltext

Hernandez, I., Rudman, A., & Dahlgren, A. (2022). Arbetsmiljö och arbetstider under Covid-19 pandemin. (Rapport 2022:2). Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Öster, K., Westerlund, S., Dahlgren, A., & Söderström, M. (2021). Hälsa, säkerhet och återhämtning vid korta vilotider - Beskrivning av rekrytering och enkätresultat från baslinjen i en interventionsstudie inom forskningsprojektet Korta vilotider. Rapport 2021:1. Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Dahlgren, A., Epstein, M., Rudman, A., & Söderström, M. (2020). Återhämtningsprogrammet Bädda för Kvalitet – proaktiva strategier för återhämtning i främjande av hälsa och arbetsprestation. Vetenskaplig slutrapport till AFA Försäkring (drnr 150024). Rapport 2020:3. Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Dahlgren, A., Reinius, M., Epstein, M., Rudman, A., Gustavsson, P., & Söderström, M. (2020). Arbetstider, återhämtning, hälsa och säkerhet bland nyutexaminerade sjuksköterskor Beskrivning av rekrytering och enkätresultat från baslinjemätningen i projektet Bädda för Kvalitet. (Rapport 2020:2). Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Söderström, M., Epstein, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2020). Återhämtningsprogrammet Bädda för Kvalitet: Innehåll, upplägg och utvärdering. (Rapport 2020:4). Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Rudman, A., Hörberg, A., Dahlgren, A., & Gustavsson, P. (2020). Hälsa ett decennium efter karriärstart: Långtidsuppföljning av LUST-studien. Vetenskaplig slutrapport till AFA Försäkring (dnr 150284). Rapport B2020:12. Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Juréhn, I., Lidström, E., Annell, S., Inzunza, M., Rudman, A., Dahlgren, A., Agrenius, B., & Gustavsson P. (2020). Förekomst, utveckling och konsekvenser av emotionella krav för nya professionella inom kontaktyrken – en longitudinell studie av relaitonen mellan emotionella krav och upplevelser av stress. Rapport B2020:1. Stockholm: Karolinska Institutet, Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap.

Rudman, A., Dahlgren, A., Frögéli, E., Reinius, M., Skyvell Nilsson, M., Göransson, K., Sjöström-Bujacz, A., & Gustavsson P. (2019). Sjuksköterskor 10 år efter examen. Karriär och hälsa. En uppföljning av LUST-undersökningen. Skriftserie B2019:1

Rudman, A., Agrenius, B., Sjöström-Bujacz, A., Dahlgren, A., Arborelius, L., Frögéli, E., & Gustavsson, P. (2018). Hälsa ett decennium efter karriärstart: Teknisk rapport för datainsamlingen LUST II (oktober 2017 – januari 2018). Skriftserie C2018:1.

Epstein, M., Dahlgren, A., Söderstöm, M., & Rudman, A. (2018). Schemaläggning i vården: schemaläggares och nyutexamnierade sjuksköterskors perspektiv. Skriftserie B:2018:2.

Frögéli, E., Högman, N., Aurell, J., Rudman, A., Dahlgren, A., & Gustavsson, P. (2017a). An Intensive prospective study of newly registered nurses’ experiences of entering the profession during 2015. Report B 2017:4.

Frögéli, E., Högman, N., Aurell, J., Rudman, A., Dahlgren A., & Gustavsson, P. (2017b). An Intensive prospective study of newly registered nurses’ experiences of entering the profession during 2016. Report B 2017:3.

Gustavsson, P., Frögéli, E., Dahlgren, A., Lövgren, M., & Rudman, A. (2015). Nya sjuksköterskors exponering för höga arbetskrav, låg kontroll och lågt stöd under sina första tre år i yrkeslivet. Skriftserie B NR 2015:1.

Dahlgren, A. (2006). Work stress and overtime work – effects on cortisol, sleep, sleepiness and health. Doctoral Thesis in Psychology. Stockholm University.

Kecklund, G., Dahlgren, A., & Åkerstedt, T. (2002). A study on self determined work hours: how does influence of work hours affect stress, health and well-being? Stress Research Reports No 305, -73p. (Swe).

Ekstedt, M., Kecklund, G., Dahlgren, A., Åkerstedt, T., & Samuelson, B. (2001). Could double shifts be an acceptable shift schedule? – Effects on stress, recovery and health. Stress Research Reports, No 301, -94p. (Swe).

Published conference proceedings

Epstein, M., Söderström, M., Eriksson, A., Harris, A., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). How to Support First-Line Healthcare Managers in Promoting Both Their Own and Employees’ Sleep and Recovery: A Qualitative Interview Study. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812739

Öster, K., Söderström, M., Tucker, P., Axelsson, J., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). Quick Returns – Effects on Sleep, Sleepiness and Cognitive Performance. An Experimental Field Study. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812750

Söderström, M., Renman, S., Ullman, L., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). HR Representatives’ Experiences of the Implementation of New Working Time Rules Guaranteeing Healthcare Employees Eleven Hours of Rest Between Shifts. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812756

Tucker, P., Epstein, M., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). Do the Characteristics of Participatory Scheduling Arrangements Affect the Quality of the Schedules that are Produced? Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812741

Tucker, P., Öster, K., Söderström, M., Harris, A., Ropponen, A., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). A Change in Working Hour Legislation Banning Quick returns in Sweden – from the Perspective of Employees in Elderly-Care. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812751

Dahlgren, A., Öster, K., Axelsson, J., Larsson, A., Ghafouri, B., & Hadrevi, J.L. (2025). Effects on Blood Markers for Stress, Metabolism and Inflammation in Nurses Working Quick Returns (<11h Between Shifts) – and Experimental Field Study. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812742

Öster, K., Söderström, M., Tucker, P., & Dahlgren, A. (2025). Quick Returns, Sleep, Sleepiness and Stress – A Field Study Investigating the Intra-Individual Effects on Objective Sleep and Diary Data. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812692

Dahlgren, A., Öster, K., Epstein, M., Tucker, P., & Söderström, M. (2025). A Proactive Intervention Supporting New Nurses’ Strategies for Sleep and Recovery When Starting Shiftwork: Results from A Randomized Controlled Trial. Sleep Science, 18(S02): 1–40. doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1812744

Söderström, M., Epstein, M., Rudman, A., Tucker, P., & Dahlgren, A. (2024). Promoting sleep and recovery among new nurses in relation to work stress and shift work: A process evaluation of a proactive intervention. In Journal of Sleep Research, 33.

Olofsgard, F. J., Ran, C., Soderstrom, M., Steinberg, A., Waldenlind, E., Sjostrand, C., Dahlgren, A., Belin, A. C. (2024). Investigating insomnia and burnout in a cluster headache cohort. In Journal of Sleep Research, 33.

Dahlgren, A., Öster, K., Tucker, P., Epstein, M., & Söderström, M. (2024). A proactive group-based programme for sleep and recovery in newly graduated nurses: Results from a randomized controlled trial. In Journal of Sleep Research, 33.

Dahlgren, A., Epstein, M., Reinius, M., Giustavsson, P., & Söderström, M. (2019). Teaching strategies for sleep and recuperation to new nurses who are starting shiftwork: can it mitigate fatigue and ill-health? Results form a randomized contrilled trial. Sleep Science, 12, Suppl. 3,8.

Dahlgren, A., Tucker P., Gustavsson, P. & Bujacz, A. (2019). Longitudinal study of nurses quick returns and self rated stress when entering working life. Sleep Science, 12, Suppl. 3, 31.

Sjöstrom-Bujacz, A., Tucker P., Dahlgren, A., Gustavsson, P. & Rudman, A. (2019). Tracking the psychosocial working conditions of shiftworking and non-shiftworking nurses across early to mid-career. Sleep Science, 12, Suppl. 3, 65.

Dahlgren, A., Epsteing, M., Söderström, M., & Tucker, P. (2017). Nurses’ strategies for managing sleep when starting shift work – implications for interventions targeting sleep behaviours in a shift work population. Sleep Medicine, 40 (supl 1), e73.

Donofrio, P., Dahlgren, A., Barnett, M., Lutzhoft, M., Kircher, A., Gillberg, M., Kecklund, G., & Åkerstedt, T. (2012). The effects of a 6 h on/6 h off maritime watch system on sleep. Journal of Sleep Research, 21, 268–269.

Leeuwen, W.M.A. van, Kircher, A., Dahlgren, A., Lutzhoft, M., Barnett, M., & Kecklund, G. (2012). Sleep and sleepiness while on watch in a simulated '4 h on/8 h off' maritime watch system. Journal of Sleep Research, 21, iss. Suppl. 1, 331.

Dahlgren, A., Van Leeuwen, W., Kircher, A., Lutzhoft, M., Barnett, M., Kecklund, G., Akerstedt, T. (2012). Sleep and fatigue in bridge officers working 6 h on and 6 h off - a simulator study. Journal of Sleep Research, 21, 331–331.

Van Leeuwen, W., Kecklund, G., Dahlgren, A., Kircher, A., Lutzhoft, M., Barnett, M., & Åkerstedt, T. (2012). Fatigue, Sleepiness And Sleep In Maritime Watch Systems : A Series Of Simulator Studies. Sleep, 35, A203–A203.

Tucker, P., Osborne, M., Dahlgren, A., Davies, G., Ebden, P., & Folkard, A. (2008). The impact of shiftwork on junior doctors’ sleep. Alertness, performace and well-being: a questionnaire survey. Journal of Sleep Reserach, 17, 122–123.

Dahlgren, A., Kecklund, G., Theorell, T., & Åketstedt, T. (2008). Day to Day variation in saliva cortisol – relation with sleep, stress and self rated health. Journal of Sleep Reserach, 17, 118–118.

Dahlgren, A. (2005). Effects on sleep and fatigue of long work hours. Sleep, 28, A353–A353.

Tucker, P., Davies, G., Dahlgren, A., Macdonald, I., Blagrove, M., Hutchings, H., & Ebden, P. (2005). Circadian adaption in shift-working hospital doctors. Sleep, 28, A66–A66.