Association between work role stressors and sleep quality

Occup Med (Lond). 2018 May 17;68(3):171-176. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqy021.

Abstract

Background: Work-related stressors are associated with low sleep quality. However, few studies have reported an association between role stressors and sleep quality.

Aims: To elucidate the association between role stressors (including role conflict and ambiguity) and sleep quality.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of daytime workers whose sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Work-related stressors, including role stressors, were assessed using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire (GJSQ). The association between sleep quality and work-related stressors was investigated by logistic regression analysis.

Results: A total of 243 participants completed questionnaires were received (response rate 71%); 86 participants reported poor sleep quality, based on a global PSQI score ≥6. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that higher role ambiguity was associated with global PSQI scores ≥6, and that role conflict was significantly associated with sleep problems, including sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction.

Conclusions: These results suggest that high role stress is associated with low sleep quality, and that this association should be considered an important determinant of the health of workers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Stress / complications*
  • Occupational Stress / psychology
  • Professional Role / psychology*
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics / methods
  • Shift Work Schedule / adverse effects*
  • Shift Work Schedule / psychology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications
  • Surveys and Questionnaires