Occupational balance and sleep among women

Abstract

Background: In occupational therapy, while several studies have focussed on occupational balance, few have investigated it in the context of sleep. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between sleep and occupational balance among women. Material and methods: In total, 157 women responded to the Occupational Balance Questionnaire and Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Linear regression was used to analyse data. Results: The median score for occupational balance was 12 (interquartile range [IQR] 9), while that for sleep was 86 (IQR 16). Sleep and sleepiness fatigue were significantly associated (p < 0.1) with satisfaction with the number of occupations during a regular week. Difficulties awakening and snoring disorders were significantly associated (p < 0.1) with balance with physical, social, intellectual, and restful occupations. Conclusions: The majority of participants slept well and had a good sleep quality. There is an association between occupational balance and sleep. In particular, aspects related to the number of occupations, adequate time to perform them and the time spent recovering and sleeping were associated with good sleep quality. Balance among physical, social, intellectual, and restful occupations was associated with difficulties awakening and snoring. Significance: Our results support the need for occupational therapists to focus on occupational balance, to improve women's sleep.

Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The participants' median score for the sum score was 13 (possible total score 0-33). This is in keeping with a previous study using OBQ11 among university teachers in Sweden, where the median occupational balance sum score was 11 [45], and a study of women in the general Swedish population (mean age of 41 years), where the median OBQ11 sum score was 12 [46]. As in the present study, the participants in these two studies were mainly women and their median occupational balance sum score indicates difficulties maintaining occupational balance, i.e., the experience of not having the right amount and variety of activities in daily life (work, home chores, leisure, rest and sleep).…”

Exploring the Associations Among Occupational Balance and Health of Adults With and Without Inflammatory Arthritis

“…Both the IA and HC groups had greater occupational balance scores compared to a prior study of Swedish women ages 30-55 years (33). However, occupational balance is not a static construct as it fluctuates based on current occupations.…”

The impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on occupational balance: A mixed method study of the experience of Australian occupational therapists

“…The improvement in satisfaction in how the occupational therapists spent their time in rest, recovery and sleep during COVID‐19 social and physical restrictions suggests the enforced restrictions had a positive impact on the therapists' rest and sleep. This notion is supported by a recent study by Magnusson et al ( 2020 ) investigating the relationship between occupational balance and sleep in 157 women, which found a significant relationship between occupational balance and sleep. Although there was a significant improvement in this item of the OBQ11, the overall occupational balance of participants was offset by a significant decrease in the item ‘having sufficient to do’ and was maintained.…”