Sleep disturbances, work stress and work hours: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Sleep Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• Disturbed sleep is a prevalent issue affecting employed individuals.
• Work-related factors and lifestyle choices are potential contributors to sleep disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multivariate relationship between disturbed sleep and various work-related, background, and lifestyle factors.
• To identify specific risk and protective factors associated with disturbed sleep, not feeling well rested, and difficulties awakening.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 5720 healthy employed men and women in Stockholm.
• Factor analysis identified "disturbed sleep" as a primary factor.
• Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of sleep disturbances.

Main Results:

• High work demands (OR=2.15), physical effort (OR=1.94), and inability to stop thinking about work (OR=3.20) were significant risk factors for disturbed sleep.
• High social support (OR=0.44), older age (45+), female gender, higher BMI, and exercise were associated with reduced risk.
• Specific predictors varied for not feeling well rested and difficulties awakening, with factors like night work, marital status, smoking, and gender playing roles.

Conclusions:

• Work-related stress and social dynamics are strongly linked to disturbed sleep and impaired awakening.
• Gender and age can modify the impact of work factors on sleep.
• Inability to disengage from work thoughts during free time appears to be a key mediator between stress and sleep problems.