Sleep and psychological wellbeing of racehorse industry workers: A survey of Australian trainers

Background and Objectives This study investigated psychological wellbeing and sleep characteristics in Victorian racing industry workers, specifically focusing on trainers. There are few empirical studies of psychological wellbeing in the horse racing industry, despite considerable employment numbers and a potentially complex and challenging work environment. Early morning starts, and potentially long working days could compound negative wellbeing outcomes. Methods A survey assessing psychological wellbeing and sleep habits was distributed to racing industry employees (N = 358). Results Trainers reported significantly higher depression and anxiety scores compared with other racing industry workers, racehorse owners, and the general population. They had less sleeping hours and higher daytime dysfunction due to fatigue. Multivariate pathway analysis showed daytime dysfunction due to fatigue was the sole significant contributor to identified differences in depression and anxiety between trainers and racing industry counterparts. Conclusions Daytime dysfunction due to fatigue was an important predictor of lower psychological wellbeing in this sample of horse trainers. Longitudinal and qualitative investigation of both sleep and non-sleep as factors in generating fatigue could assist to further delineate predictors of depression and anxiety in this population. Better understanding of interacting sleep and wellbeing processes may lead to useful self-management strategies to address the apparent heightened psychological distress of some racing industry workers.