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Sleep and Self-Rated Health in an Aging Workforce
Ashley Helvig Coombe1, Fayron Epps2, Jiwon Lee2
11 Emory University.
Workplace Health & Safety
|April 20, 2019
Summary
Poor sleep quality, specifically nonrestorative sleep (NRS), is linked to lower work performance and self-rated health (SRH) in older workers. Improving sleep can enhance both health and job productivity.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Gerontology
Background:
- Labor force participation for adults 55+ has risen significantly.
- Aging workers often face chronic health issues and sleep disturbances, impacting health and work.
- Nonrestorative sleep (NRS) and other sleep issues are common in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nonrestorative sleep (NRS) and work performance.
- To examine how demographic and sleep factors correlate with self-rated health (SRH) in middle-aged workers.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of the 2008 Sleep in America Poll.
- Study included 392 working adults aged 50–65.
- Data analyzed associations between sleep characteristics, SRH, and work performance.
Main Results:
- Nonrestorative sleep (NRS) was associated with impaired work performance, including concentration difficulties and reduced productivity.
- Frequent insomnia symptoms, NRS, and short sleep duration were commonly reported.
- NRS and short sleep duration were significantly linked to lower self-rated health (SRH).
Conclusions:
- Interventions targeting sleep improvement in middle-aged workers may enhance self-rated health (SRH) and work performance.
- Early detection of sleep problems is crucial for this aging workforce.
- Addressing sleep issues can mitigate negative impacts on older adults' health and productivity.
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