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Association Between Work Stress and Sleep Disorders in Law Enforcement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
1People's Public Security University of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Occupational stress significantly increases sleep disorder risk in law enforcement personnel. Different stressors, including shift work and organizational pressure, contribute to this elevated risk, impacting well-being and public safety.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Law enforcement personnel experience significant occupational stressors.
- Previous reviews focused on prevalence, not the strength of stressor-sleep associations.
- Quantifying distinct stressor domains' impact on sleep is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between occupational stress and sleep disorders in law enforcement.
- To quantify the strength of this association.
- To differentiate the impact of specific stressor domains.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Searched four databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, SpringerLink) from inception to January 2026.
- Included observational studies with validated instruments; used random-effects model for pooled odds ratios (ORs).
Main Results:
- Seventeen studies (N=5124) were included; occupational stress significantly associated with sleep disorders (OR=3.51).
- Shift work (OR=3.02), work/organizational stress (OR=5.94), and dual stress (OR=3.66) all elevated sleep risk.
- High heterogeneity noted, especially in dual stress exposure, due to measurement and population differences.
Conclusions:
- Occupational stress is a significant risk factor for sleep disorders in law enforcement.
- Distinct stressors may affect sleep through different pathways (e.g., circadian disruption, hyperarousal).
- Organizational and individual interventions are needed to improve sleep health and public safety.
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