Psychosocial work characteristics and sleep quality: a systematic review of longitudinal and intervention research

107

A reciprocal interplay between psychosocial job stressors and worker well-being? A systematic review of the "reversed" effect by Tang K Scholars in the area of occupational health and epidemiology have increasingly theorized about a reciprocal stressor-strain. A systematic review of the recent literature found "moderate" evidence in support of a reciprocal relationship (ie, bidirectional effects) between psychosocial job stressors and worker well-being. The paper also sets out potential research avenues to advance the state of current knowledge. Affiliation 441Review Scand J Work Environ Health. 2014;40(5):441-456. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3431 A reciprocal interplay between psychosocial job stressors and worker wellbeing? A systematic review of the "reversed" effect Objectives Work represents an important role in society, and the nature and consequences of job stress have garnered significant research interest. In recent years, considerable effort has been made to elucidate the occupational stressor-strain relationship, or the interplay between unfavorable working conditions (stressor) and worker well-being (strain). In line with Bandura's notion of "reciprocal determinism", a reciprocal occupational stressor-strain relationship is now increasingly postulated, where variables exert mutual influences on each other over time. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of empirical support for three specific "reversed" (strain-to-stressor) effects, guided by the Demand-Control-Support Model.Methods A systematic literature review was conducted (1996-2012 inclusive) through a search of databases.After relevant studies were identified, a methodological quality appraisal was performed based on four key criteria: sample size, measurement, non-spuriousness, and non-response bias. Subsequently, a quantitative synthesis of evidence from high-quality studies was performed by calculating a standardized index of convergence for each reversed effect.Results Twenty-three qualifying studies were found and evidence from ten high-quality studies ultimately contributed to the synthesis. Moderately strong evidence in support of a positive strain-to-job demands effect was found, but there was no evidence in support of either a strain-to-job control or a strain-to-workplace social support effect. ConclusionsIn conjunction with available evidence on the corresponding "normal" (stressor-to-strain) effect, this review gives credence to the possibility of a reciprocal stressor-strain relationship involving job demands and worker well-being.

Section: Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A reciprocal interplay between psychosocial job stressors and worker well-being? A systematic review of the “reversed” effect

Tang¹

2014

107

“…There is growing evidence of the negative effects of work stress on sleep (1). Problems with restorative sleep are common: chronic insomnia has a 10% prevalence rate in Western industrialized countries (2)(3)(4).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Log in and breathe out: internet-based recovery training for sleepless employees with work-related strain – results of a randomized controlled trial

Thiart¹,

Lehr²,

Ebert³

et al. 2015

155

106

Log in and breathe out: internet-based recovery training for sleepless employees with work-related strain -results of a randomized controlled trial by Thiart H, Lehr D, Ebert DD, Berking M, Riper H The present study evaluates a newly developed, internet-based recovery training that considers the particular situation of employees experiencing both work stress and sleep problems. The results suggest that this low-threshold intervention could help a large number of employees overcome a deficient recovery from work. Original article Scand J Work Environ Health. 2015;41(2):164-174. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3478 Log in and breathe out: internet-based recovery training for sleepless employees with work-related strain -results of a randomized controlled trial Objectives The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the efficacy of a guided internet-based recovery training for employees who suffer from both work-related strain and sleep problems (GET.ON Recovery). The recovery training consisted of six lessons, employing well-established methods from cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) such as sleep restriction, stimulus control, and hygiene interventions as well as techniques targeted at reducing rumination and promoting recreational activities. AffiliationMethods In a two-arm RCT (N=128), the effects of GET.ON Recovery were compared to a waitlist-control condition (WLC) on the basis of intention-to-treat analyses. German teachers with clinical insomnia complaints (Insomnia Severity Index ≥15) and work-related rumination (Irritation Scale, cognitive irritation subscale ≥15) were included. The primary outcome measure was insomnia severity.Results Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that, compared to the WLC, insomnia severity of the intervention group decreased significantly stronger (F=74.11, P<0.001) with a d=1.45 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-1.84] The number needed to treat (NNT) was <2 for reliable change and NNT <4 for reduction in expert-rated diagnosis of primary insomnia. ConclusionThe training significantly reduces sleep problems and fosters mental detachment from work and recreational behavior among adult stressed employees at post-test and 6-months follow up. Given the low threshold access this training could reach out to a large group of stressed employees when results are replicated in other studies.

“…However, the relation between work stressors and sleep remains unclear. A recent review identified high job demands and low job control as predictors of reduced sleep quality, but effect sizes were small-to-moderate indicating that only a small proportion of the variance in sleep quality is influenced by work characteristics (15). Additionally, researchers have drawn attention to discrepancies between objective and subjective sleep measures and the risk of overestimating the effect of work stressors on sleep quality in studies using self-reported sleep measures (27,28).…”

Section: Sleep Stress and Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sleep problems are prevalent in modern society (10) and have been associated with a broad spectrum of negative health outcomes (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Stress is a common selfreported cause (20).…”

Section: Sleep Stress and Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in self-reported sleep and cognitive failures: a randomized controlled trial of a stress management intervention

Dalgaard¹,

Eskildsen²,

Carstensen³

et al. 2014

Changes in self-reported sleep and cognitive failures: a randomized controlled trial of a stress management intervention by Dalgaard L, Eskildsen A, Carstensen O, Willert MV, Andersen JH, Glasscock DJ This is the first RCT study of a stress management intervention testing the efficacy of individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in combination with a brief workplace intervention on sleep problems and cognitive failures. Knowledge about these outcomes and their development over time is highly relevant in the treatment of patients on sick leave due to work stress. Objectives This study evaluated the effectiveness of a stress management intervention combining individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a brief workplace intervention on self-reported measures of sleep and cognitive functioning among patients on sick leave due to work-related stress complaints. AffiliationMethods Participants were patients referred to the regional Department of Occupational Medicine. Inclusion criteria were (i) sick leave due to work-related stress complaints and (ii) a diagnosis of adjustment disorder/ reactions to stress or mild depression. Participants (N=137) were randomized to either an intervention (N=57) or control (N=80) group. The intervention comprised six sessions with a psychologist and the offer of a small workplace intervention. Questionnaires were answered at baseline and after 4, and 10 months.Results Symptoms were significantly reduced over time in both groups but there was no significant treatment effect on sleep or cognitive outcomes at any time point. From 0-4 months, there was a tendency for larger improvements in the intervention group with regards to sleep and cognitive failures in distraction. Although neither was significant, the results came close to significance depicting a small effect size (Cohen's d) on sleep complaints and distractions (but not memory). ConclusionsThe specific intervention was not superior to the control condition in reducing symptoms of sleep problems and cognitive difficulties at any time point during the 10-month follow-up period. Substantial improvements in symptoms over time were seen in both groups.