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How does work impact daily sleep quality? A within-individual study using actigraphy and self-reports over the
Johanna Garefelt1, Sara Gershagen1, Göran Kecklund1
1Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Journal of Sleep Research
|November 4, 2021
Summary
Retirement improves self-rated sleep quality but not objective sleep quality measured by actigraphy. Increased sleep duration and bedtime stress partially explain these subjective improvements.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Science
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Retirement involves significant life changes, potentially impacting sleep patterns.
- Understanding the effects of work cessation on sleep is crucial for healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of retirement on both objectively measured (actigraphy) and subjectively reported sleep quality.
- To examine time in bed and bedtime stress as potential mediators of these changes.
Main Methods:
- 117 participants (aged 60-72) in the Swedish Retirement Study underwent sleep assessments (actigraphy, diaries, questionnaires) before and 1-2 years after retirement.
- Multilevel modeling analyzed daily sleep variations, with time in bed/asleep and bedtime stress as mediators.
Main Results:
- Self-reported sleep quality and restorative sleep significantly improved post-retirement.
- Objective sleep quality, measured by actigraphy (sleep efficiency), remained unchanged or slightly decreased.
- Increased time in bed and bedtime stress partially mediated the improvements in self-rated sleep.
Conclusions:
- Objective and subjective sleep quality do not change congruently after retirement.
- Retirement's primary impact is on subjective recovery experiences rather than objective sleep quality itself.
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