Emotional Labor and Depressive Symptoms Among Healthcare Workers: The Role of Sleep

Abstract

Background: Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Health care workers report a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than the general population. Emotional labor has contributed to poor health and work outcomes. However, the mechanism for the potential association between emotional labor and depressive symptoms has not been well studied. This study examines the relationship between emotional labor and depressive symptoms and whether sleep plays a role in explaining this relationship. Methods: In 2018, health care workers ( n = 1,060) from five public sector facilities in the northeast United States participated in this cross-sectional survey. The survey included questions on participants’ surface-acting emotional labor (masking one’s feelings at work), depressive symptoms, sleep duration and disturbances, and socio-demographic characteristics. Multivariable linear and Poisson regression modeling were used to examine associations among variables. Findings: There was a significant association between emotional labor and depressive symptoms (β = 0.82, p < .001). Sleep disturbances, but not short sleep duration, partially mediated this association. Neither sleep variable moderated this association. Conclusions/Application to Practice: Depressive symptoms were prevalent among health care workers and were associated with emotional masking. Sleep disturbances play an important intermediate role in translating emotional labor to depressive symptoms in these workers. Effective workplace programs are needed to reduce health care workers’ emotional labor to improve their mental health. Sleep promotion should also be emphasized to mitigate the negative effect of emotional labor and promote mental wellbeing.

Association between sleep disturbance and mental health of healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…It appealed that depression and anxiety prevalence among HCWs were 22.8 and 23.2%, respectively, derived from a meta-analysis including 33062 subjects (12). Meanwhile, existing literature has shown that HCWs represent the highest risk groups of depressive symptoms, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the general population (13)(14)(15). It leads to a high incidence of low job satisfaction, absenteeism and turnover directly (13).…”

“…Meanwhile, existing literature has shown that HCWs represent the highest risk groups of depressive symptoms, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the general population (13)(14)(15). It leads to a high incidence of low job satisfaction, absenteeism and turnover directly (13). Hence, we should pay attention to HCWs' mental health problems.…”

Response to NIOSH Request for Information on Interventions to Prevent Work-Related Stress and Support Health Worker Mental Health

“…Similarly, in the SHIFT study, there was a statistically significant association between surface-acting emotional labor and depressive symptoms. 18 This negative effect was notable in its own right and also partially mediated through sleep disturbances.…”

Örgütsel Maneviyat ve Psikolojik Sermayenin Duygusal Emek ve Stresle Başa Çıkma Üzerindeki Etkisi: İstanbul’da Sağlık Çalışanları Üzerinde Bir Araştırma

“…Stres ise kendini psikolojik, davranışsal ve fiziksel olarak farklı şekillerde göstermekte, uykusuzluk, yeme düzeninde bozukluk, sinir hali, tansiyon ve kalp rahatsızlığı gibi olumsuzluklara neden olmaktadır (Abraham, 1998:137-146). Duygusal emek ve depresif semptomlarda uykunun etkisinin araştırıldığı bir çalışmada, duygusal emek ve depresif semptomlar sergileme arasında bir ilişkinin olduğu ve uykunun bu ilişkide aracı rol üstlendiği gözlemlenmiştir (Zhang et al, 2021).…”