scholarly journals Relationship between work context and sleep problems of high school teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e31910716195
Author(s):  
Ádilla Conceição Brito de Azevedo ◽  
Xaíze de Fátima de Medeiros Lopes ◽  
Juliana Romano de Lima ◽  
Cecília Nogueira Valença ◽  
Dimitri Taurino Guedes ◽  
...  

Objective: The teaching function is related to work overload and health problems, including sleep problems. However, is there a relationship between sleep problems and aspects of work? In view of this, this study aimed to assess the relationship between the work context, the quality of sleep and the daytime sleepiness of teachers from public schools in Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Methodology: This study was conducted in 9 schools with 61 teachers of both genders who filled the work context assessment scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results and Discussion: The majority evaluated Working Conditions and Work Organization as critical/severe, and half of them considered Socio-Professional Relations as critical/severe. Poor sleep quality was observed in 69% of teachers, regardless of gender and excessive daytime sleepiness was observed in 49% of teachers, most often in women (55%) compared to men. Nevertheless, there was no significant relationship between work context and sleep problems. In relation to sleep schedule, it was observed that teachers present late sleep time (23: 26 ± 1: 25h) and early wake up time (6: 06 ± 1: 16h) which may have resulted in short sleep duration (6: 10 ± 1: 07h). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that, in general, public school teachers in RN present complaints related to the work context and sleep problems. However, studies with a more representative sample are needed to assess as the factors related to the work context may be contributing to sleep problems. Furthermore, there is a need to create spaces for discussion with teachers in order to improve the work context and public policies aimed at education.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Nielsen ◽  
Antony Chum ◽  
Celine Teo

Background: There is growing evidence that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults experience more sleep problems than the general population, but little is known about its underlying social risk factors. As LGB individuals report more family rejection and a lack of family support, our study investigates the role of family support as a potential determinant of LGB sleep problems. Given the importance of sleep on mental and physical health, study results may help shed light on persistent health disparities across sexual orientations. Methods: Our sample included 1,703 LGB individuals from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Mixed-effect logistic regressions were used to estimate the effect of family support (measured at waves 2 and 5) on the development of sleep problems after 24 months (measured at waves 4 and 7) while controlling for potential confounders. Sleep problems were measured using a modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Results: Family support was independently associated with all sleep problems in our study after 24-months: 1 SD increase in family support was associated with reduced odds of sleep dysfunction (OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.85, 0.96), short sleep duration (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.78, 0.93), and poor sleep quality (OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.84, 0.98). Conclusions: The consistent effect of family support across all sleep outcomes tested in our study, along with evidence of a persistent effect after 24 months, point to the importance of targeting family support in designing interventions aimed at reducing LGB sleep problems.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria E. Carlsson

AbstractObjective:The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate insomnia, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness in relatives of dying patients cared for at home.Method:The study has a descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of relatives of patients cared for through palliative home care in Uppsala County on 3 specific days. Relatives completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic questions, and items from the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Richard Campell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ).Results:Seventy-five relatives answered the questionnaire. The average total ISI score was 9.6, with 23% reporting moderate or severe clinical insomnia. The mean sleep duration was 6.5 hours, the mean assessed need of sleep was 8 hours, and the mean discrepancy was 1 hour. The total mean ESS score was 5.6 and only 15% of respondents reported excessive daytime sleepiness. Four percent scored very poor sleep quality, whereas 39% scored very good sleep quality (RCSQ). Two general age- and gender-related patterns were observed. Negative correlations were found between age and sleep problems, with younger relatives reporting more insomnia problems and more daytime sleepiness than did older relatives. The other general pattern was that womens' sleep quality was significantly inferior to that of men. A significant positive correlation was found between ISI and ESS, but not between RCSQ and ESS.Significance of results:The picture of the relatives' sleep condition is fairly complex. A minority reported clinical insomnia problems or excessive daytime sleepiness, and 73% reported getting less sleep than they wanted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieve T. van Egmond ◽  
Olga E. Titova ◽  
Eva Lindberg ◽  
Tove Fall ◽  
Christian Benedict

AbstractPreliminary findings suggest that pets may impact the owner’s sleep. By using data from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bIoimage Study (SCAPIS) cohort, we aimed to investigate the association of pet ownership with the following self-reported sleep outcomes in 3788 to 4574 participants: (i) achieving the recommended daily sleep duration for adults (i.e., at least 7 h per day); (ii) sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (a score of > 5 indicating poor sleep quality); and (iii) difficulty falling or staying asleep. Sleep metrics were not associated with pet ownership, dog ownership, and dog walking when controlling the logistic regression for possible confounders (e.g., shift work, lack of social interaction, and chronic stress). In contrast, cat ownership was associated with a higher odds ratio of failing to achieve the recommended duration of 7 h of sleep per day (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]:1.18 [1.02, 1.37] versus non-cat owners). Our findings suggest that certain pet groups might have a more significant impact on the owner’s sleep than others. As the observed association between cat ownership and short sleep duration might be a chance finding, this observation should be seen as hypothesis-generating only.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Ching Chang ◽  
Megan C. Chang ◽  
Yun-Jou Chang ◽  
Ming-De Chen

Abstract Background Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. Methods Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis. Results Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person domain included three subthemes: psychiatric symptoms, unpleasant emotions, and frustration about sleep. The environment domain included three subthemes: sensory intrusions from the environment, quality of bedding, and roommates. The occupation domain included sleep interruption and sleep preparation. There were notable discrepancies in sleep quality between the participants’ narratives and their PSQI global scores. Regarding coping methods for poor sleep, sleep medication was the primary strategy while some participants also used other strategies, such as modifying the environment, adjusting routines, or engaging in activities that improve sleep quality. Conclusions Psychiatric symptoms and nightmares were identified as unique sleep disruptions in people with schizophrenia, and poor economic status was also found to impact their sleep. The sleep quality of people with schizophrenia tends to be poor, as identified by the PSQI, even though they may have positive perceptions of their sleep quality. Our participants appeared to prefer to take hypnotics to address their sleep problems, which may be due to limited knowledge about alternatives. Mental health professionals are encouraged to receive training in the application of non-pharmacological approaches to support their clients’ issues related to sleep.


Author(s):  
Hannah Briony Thorne ◽  
Matthew Justus Rockloff ◽  
Sally Anne Ferguson ◽  
Grace Elizabeth Vincent ◽  
Matthew Browne

Gambling has significant costs to the community, with a health burden similar in scale to major depression. To reduce its impact, it is necessary to understand factors that may exacerbate harm from gambling. The gambling environment of late-night licensed venues and 24/7 online gambling has the potential to negatively impact sleep and increase alcohol consumption. This study explored gambling, alcohol, and sleep problems to understand whether there is a relationship between these three factors. Telephone interviews were conducted with a representative sample of Australian adults (n = 3760) combined across three waves of the National Social Survey. Participants completed screening measures for at-risk gambling, at-risk alcohol consumption, insomnia (2015 wave only), and sleep quality. There were small but significant positive correlations between problem gambling and alcohol misuse, problem gambling and insomnia, and problem gambling and poor sleep quality. A regression model showed that gambling problems and alcohol misuse were significant independent predictors of insomnia. A separate regression showed gambling problems (and not alcohol misuse) were a significant predictor of poor sleep quality, but only in one survey wave. Findings suggest that gambling, alcohol, and sleep problems are related within persons. Further research should examine the mechanisms through which this relationship exists.


Author(s):  
Yanlin Wang ◽  
Ping Jiang ◽  
Shi Tang ◽  
Lu Lu ◽  
Xuan Bu ◽  
...  

Abstract Anxiety and depressive symptoms may predispose individuals to sleep disturbance. Understanding how these emotional symptoms affect sleep quality, especially the underlying neural basis, could support the development of effective treatment. The aims of the present study were therefore to investigate potential changes in brain morphometry associated with poor sleep quality and whether this structure played a mediating role between the emotional symptoms and sleep quality. One hundred and forty-one healthy adults (69 women, mean age = 26.06 years, SD = 6.36 years) were recruited. A structural magnetic resonance imaging investigation was performed, and self-reported measures of anxiety, depressive symptoms and sleep quality were obtained for each participant. Whole-brain regression analysis revealed that worse sleep quality was associated with thinner cortex in left superior temporal sulcus (STS). Furthermore, the thickness of left STS mediated the association between the emotional symptoms and sleep quality. A subsequent commonality analysis showed that physiological component of the depressive symptoms had the greatest influence on sleep quality. In conclusion, thinner cortex in left STS may represent a neural substrate for the association between anxiety and depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality and may thus serve as a potential target for neuromodulatory treatment of sleep problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Schjelderup Skarpsno ◽  
Tom Ivar Lund Nilsen ◽  
Paul Jarle Mork

AbstractSleep problems and regular leisure time physical activity (LTPA) are interrelated and have contrasting effects on risk of back pain. However, no studies have investigated the influence of long-term poor sleep quality on risk of back-related disability, or if LTPA modifies this association. The study comprised data on 8601 people who participated in three consecutive surveys over ~ 22 years, and who reported no chronic back pain at the two first surveys. Adjusted risk ratios (RRs) for back-related disability were calculated at the last survey, associated with the joint effect of changes in sleep quality between the two first surveys and meeting physical activity guidelines at the second survey. Compared to people with long-term good sleep, people with long-term poor sleep had nearly twice the risk of back-related disability (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.48–2.49). There was no statistical interaction between sleep and LTPA but people who reported long-term poor sleep and meeting the physical activity guidelines had 35% lower risk of back-related disability compared to people with same level of sleep problems, but who not met the guidelines. These findings suggest that long-term poor sleep quality contributes to a substantially increased risk of chronic and disabling back pain irrespective of LTPA.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liora Kempler ◽  
Louise A Sharpe ◽  
Nathaniel S Marshall ◽  
Delwyn J Bartlett

Abstract Study Objectives Poor sleep is commonly problematic during pregnancy and postpartum and is associated with depression. This trial investigated the efficacy of prenatal brief, group sleep psychoeducation in improving postpartum maternal sleep, and depression. Methods A total of 215 healthy expectant first-time mothers were cluster randomized (1:1) to receive either a 2 × 1.5 h psychoeducation intervention and a set of booklets, or a set of booklets only. Participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy (pre-intervention), and 6 weeks and 4 months postpartum. A post hoc subset of questionnaires was collected at 10 months postpartum. The primary hypothesis was the intervention group would have improved postpartum sleep quality, and reduced levels of insomnia symptoms, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, and stress. Results Linear mixed model analyses failed to confirm a group by time interaction on primary or secondary outcomes across all time points. There was no effect of the intervention on outcomes at 6 weeks, or 10 months postpartum. A significant time by group interaction was found at 4 months, favoring the intervention for sleep quality (p = 0.03) and insomnia symptoms (p = 0.03), but not fatigue or daytime sleepiness. Conclusions Prenatal sleep psychoeducation did not produce a sustained effect on maternal sleep throughout the postpartum period. There was little evidence of benefits on depressive symptoms. Clinical Trial Registration ACTRN12611000859987


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 266-272
Author(s):  
Ramazan Erdem ◽  
Nazan Şimşek Erdem ◽  
Erdal Kurtoğlu

To investigate the quality of sleep and the presence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in the Turkish population with β-thalassemia major (TM). The second aim was to assess the risk factors of RLS in TM adults. The study sample comprised of 121 patients at least 18 years old with TM. The patients’ socio-demographic information, body mass indexes (BMI), current medications, laboratory data were recorded. The patients were asked if they had a history of chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), and polyneuropathy. Restless legs syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. The sleep quality of the patients was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness in the patients. The median age of the patients was 25 years (range 18-52). The mean BMI was 21.49±2.5 (R 14-26.5) for all patients. The prevalence of RLS was 5% in TM adult patients. The TM patients with RLS had no major complications of TM. The median PSQI global score of all patients was 3. Twenty-two (18.1%) patients had poor sleep quality. The reason for poor sleep quality was RLS symptoms in four patients (18%). There was no significant association between PSQI total score and blood parameters of the patients. Twelve (9.9%) patients had ESS scores greater than 10, which indicates excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of RLS in TM patients was similar to that of the general Turkish adult population. These results indicate that RLS may occur in patients with TM, although they had a high level of serum ferritin.


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