Association between work role stressors and sleep quality

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

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

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.

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.

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.