Time use, time pressure and sleep: is gender an effect modifier?

The gendered division of labour contributes to differences in the way time is spent and experienced by women and men. Time spent in paid and unpaid labour is associated with sleep outcomes, therefore, we examined (i) the relationships between time use and time pressure, and sleep, and (ii) whether these relationships were modified by gender.

Adults from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey were included in the analysis (N = 7611). Two measures of time use (total time commitments, ≥50% of time spent in paid work) were calculated based on estimates of time spent in different activities. One measure of time pressure was also included. Three sleep outcomes (quality, duration and difficulties) were examined. Logistic regression and effect measure modification analyses were employed.

Total time commitments were associated with sleep duration, whereby more hours of total time commitments were associated with an increase in the odds of reporting <7 h sleep. Gender was an effect modifier of the association between ≥50% of time spent in paid work and (i) sleep duration on the multiplicative scale, and (ii) sleep difficulties on the multiplicative and additive scales. Men who spent <50% of time in paid work reported more sleep difficulties than men who spent ≥50% of time spent in paid work. Feeling time pressured was associated with poor sleep quality, short sleep duration and sleep difficulties.

Time use and time pressure were associated with sleep, with some effects experienced differently for men and women.