Sleep quality and anxiety level in employees

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to measure the sleep quality and anxiety level of a group of employees, as well as determine the relationship between sleep quality and anxiety and other factors.

METHODS:

A total of 130 of 185 employees at a university campus were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A descriptive questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were the data collection instruments. In addition to univariate analysis, the relationship between the 2 scales was examined with Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS:

Of the participants, 38.9% had poor sleep quality. Gender, income level, presence of a chronic disease, regular medication use, and relationship with family and the social environment were found to affect both sleep quality and anxiety. A decrease in sleep quality was associated with an increase in the level of anxiety.

CONCLUSION:

Poor sleep quality and a high anxiety level are common in this country, as in the rest of the world. Socioeconomic interventions and psychosocial support to improve the status of individuals with risk factors, such as chronic disease, will reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality and overall psychosocial health. Further prospective studies should be conducted with different groups of participants and with larger samples to expand knowledge of the relationship between sleep quality and anxiety.

Sleep-wake disorders are divided into 10 types of disorder or group of disorders that encompass a wide spectrum. More than 100 disorders have been defined [1]. Sleep-wake disorders cause complaints related to the timing, quality, and quantity of sleep. All sleep-wake disorders lead to insufficient sleep and reduced daily performance [2]. The most frequently seen sleep-wake disorder is difficulty falling sleep and staying asleep [3]. Sleep-wake disorders are common. In the USA alone, 50 to 70 million people suffer from a sleep-wake disorder [4]. It has been reported that these disorders affect 20% to 30% of the general population, and in some studies the incidence rate was as high as 37% [5, 6].

Though sleep-wake disorders are not unusual, they often go uninvestigated. They are directly related to an individual’s health status, are a major factor in morbidity, and are associated with increased mortality. They are also associated with increased susceptibility to the common cold [7].

In addition to physical health effects, sleep-wake disorders are closely related to a regression in psychomotor functions, and people with sleep-wake disorders are more likely to have an accident [8]. It has also been found that absenteeism is greater patients with sleep-wake disorders, they experience difficulty concentrating, have weaker job performance, and a greater probability of experiencing a workplace accident [6]. The effect of productivity loss and increased healthcare expenditures related to sleep-wake disorders was reported to be an annual cost of $30 to 35 billion in the USA, with total direct costs for insomnia estimated to be $13 billion [9].

A close relationship between sleep-wake disorders and mental disorders has been demonstrated in many studies. Anxiety disorders, the most common class of mental disorder, are associated with the severity and chronicity of sleep-wake disorders [10]. Common features of anxiety disorders include excessive fear and worry, which can lead to behavioral disorders [2]. In a systematic review, the 1-year and lifetime prevalence rate of anxiety disorders was found to be 10.6% and 16.6%, respectively [11]. In another survey, individuals with insomnia were found to be 17.35 times more likely to have clinically significant anxiety [12]. In a study performed with 14915 participants, about 28% of those with insomnia had a current diagnosis of a mental disorder and 25.6% had a psychiatric history. Past or present anxiety disorders were the most frequently seen mental disorders in association with insomnia [13].

The number of studies investigating the incidence rate of sleep-wake and anxiety disorders in this country is very limited. Saracoglu et al. [14] found that 10.4% of the study population reported daytime sleepiness, and that there was a significant and positive correlation between daytime sleepiness and anxiety risk. The most recent, reliable study on the epidemiology of anxiety disorders in Turkey was performed in 1998, and the researchers found that 6.7% of the participants had received a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder in the previous year [15].

Both sleep quality and anxiety level are important, in terms of both the effects on the health of the individual and quality of life, as well as the effects on the health of an employee, the health of the community, and the healthcare system. The objective of this study was to determine the sleep quality and anxiety level of a group of employees, and to examine the correlation between them, as well as other factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Approval for this cross-sectional study was obtained from the ethics committee of the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (no. 09.2014.0318). The study participants were advised about the research both orally and in writing, and informed consent was obtained.

Sampling

The participants in this research were employees of a university. At the time of the study, a total of 185 employees worked at the university campus. With an assumption of 50% poor sleep quality, for a 95% confidence interval with a 5% margin of error, an adequate sample size was calculated to be 126 employees. Shift workers were not included.

Data collection tools

Questionnaires and scales completed by volunteer participants were used to collect the study data.

Descriptive questionnaire

The investigators prepared a questionnaire containing 29 questions related to the sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was developed by Buysse et al. [16]. Validation and reliability studies were conducted by Ağargün et al. in 1996, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for reliability was 0.80 [17]. The PSQI provides information about sleep quality and the type and severity of sleep-wake disorders experienced within the previous month. The scale consists of a total of 24 questions; 19 answers are provided by the participant and 5 by his/her bed partner or roommate, when present. Only the self-rated responses are included in the assessment. The PSQI consists of 7 components (subjective sleep quality rating, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction) that each yield a score of 0 to 3. The sum of the 7 component scores is the global PSQI score. A total score of 5 or greater indicates a poor sleeper; the disruption to sleep quality is worse as the PSQI score increases.

Beck Anxiety Inventory

The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) measures the frequency of anxiety symptoms experienced by the individual. It is a Likert-type self-assessment consisting of 21 items, each scored between 0 and 3. The maximum total score is 63 points. A greater total score indicates increased anxiety. The scale was developed by Beck et al. [18] in 1988. Validation and reliability of the Turkish version was conducted by Ulusoy et al. 19 in 1998, with a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.93.

Statistical analysis

SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to evaluate the study data. Descriptive findings were expressed as numbers, percentiles, and means. The data were not normally distributed; therefore, for intergroup comparisons of measurable values, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied. Correlation between the 2 scales was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. P<0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance.

RESULTS

Individual characteristics of the participants

An adequate sample was achieved with a total of 130 participants: 89 (68.5%) women and 41 (31.5%) men. The mean age of the study population was 36.6±10 years (range: 18-63 years). The education level of the group was university (n=105; 80.8%), high school (n=10; 7.7%), middle school (n=5; 3.8%), and primary school (n=10; 7.7%). The participants were married (n=82; 63.1%), single (n=41; 31.5%), and separated/divorced (n=7; 5.4%). There were instructors (n=27; 20.8%), research workers (n=41; 31.5%), office-workers (n=29; 22.3%), laborers (n=16; 12.3%), nurses (n=7; 5.4%), and employees with other professions (n=5; 3.8%) included.

In the study population, 82.2% lived with family and 13.2% lived alone. While 54.6% of the participants had children, 45.4% did not. The question “Does your income meet your expenses?” was responded to affirmatively by 50.8% of the participants and negatively by 49.2%.

Sleep quality and anxiety scale scores

The PSQI and BAI scores are presented in Table 1. The mean overall PSQI scale score was 5.6±3.3 (range: 0-17). The PSQI score of 38.9% of the participants was >5 points, which indicates poor sleep quality.

Table 1.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores of the participants according to their individual characteristics

	Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index			Beck Anxiety Inventory
	Median	Min-max	P	Median	Min-max	P
Gender
Female	5.0	0.0-17.0		5.5	0.0-53.0
Male	3.0	2.0-13.0	0.323	4.0	0.0-29.0	0.044
Income level
Meets expenses	4.0	0.0-15.0		3.0	0.0-24.0
Does not meet expenses	6.0	1.0-17.0	0.001	6.0	0.0-53.0	0.007
Chronic disease
Yes	5.0	1.0-17.0		8.0	0.0-53.0
No	5.0	0.0-15.0	0.299	4.0	0.0-46.0	0.02
Regular use of medication
Yes	5.50	1.0-17.0		14.5	0.0-53.0
No	5.0	0.0-15.0	0.081	4.0	0.0-45.0	0.02
Known sleep disorder
Yes	10.0	4.0-15.0		14.5	0.0-53.0
No	4.0	0-17.0	p<0.001	4.0	0.0-46.0	0.002

The mean BAI score of all of the respondents was 8.6±9.9 (range: 0-53).

When the scores were compared according to gender, the anxiety level of the female participants was significantly higher (p=0.044). The mean and median BAI scores of female participants were 9.76 and 5.5, respectively, while the corresponding scores of male participants were 5.05 and 4.0, respectively. Sleep quality was not statistically significantly different between genders (p=0.323). The group of patients who had difficulty meeting their expenses had both poor sleep quality and higher anxiety levels (p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). Age, education level, vocation, and marital status were not statistically significantly correlated with either sleep quality (p=0.783, p=0.609, p=0.956, and p=0.065, respectively) or anxiety level (p=0.969, p=0.074, p=0.578, and p=0.522, respectively).

The BAI score of participants who regularly used medication and/or had a chronic disease was found to be statistically significantly higher (p=0.02 for both). However, their PSQI scores did not differ significantly (p=0.081).

Participants known to have a sleep disorder had poorer sleep quality (p<0.001) and a higher anxiety level (p=0.02). However, there was not a significant difference in the sleep quality (p=0.354) or the anxiety level (p=0.595) between participants with a known psychiatric problem and those without. Similarly, the sleep quality (p=0.071) and the anxiety level (p=0.120) of patients with a history of psychiatric illness did not differ significantly from those without.

The participants were asked to classify their relationship with their family/members of the household as very good, good, moderate, or bad, and a significant correlation was found between the state of participants’ relationships and sleep quality (p=0.013) as well as anxiety level (p<0.001). Favorable social relationships were associated with better sleep quality and less anxiety. The same relationship was seen with regard to connection to the social environment and the participant’s sleep quality (p=0.045) and anxiety level (p=0.005) (Table 2).

Table 2.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Anxiety Inventory scores of the participants according to their relationship with their family/members of household and social environment

	Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (median/min-max)					Beck Anxiety Inventory (median/min-max)
	Very good	Good	Moderate	Bad	p	Very good	Good	Moderate	Bad	p
Relationship with	4.5/	5.0/	7.5/	-		3.0/	5.0/	19.0/	-
family/ members	0.0-	0.0-	4.0-14.0		0.013	0.0-	0.0-	2.0-53.0		<0.001
of household	15.0	17.0				46.0	30.0
Relationship	3.5/	5.0/	5.0/	11.0		4.0/	4.0/	12.0/	9.0
with social	0.0-	0.0-	2.0-14.0		0.045	0.0-	0.0-	0.0-53.0		0.005
environment	13.0	17.0				46.0	34.0

Results of correlation analysis of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Beck Anxiety Inventory

The association between the total PSQI, the 7 component PSQI scores, and BAI scores was analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Correlation analysis indicated that BAI scores were statistically significantly but only moderately correlated with subjective sleep quality, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction, and total PSQI score, while BAI scores were statistically significantly but weakly correlated with sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency (Table 3). These results demonstrate that a deterioration in sleep quality increases anxiety and/or an increase in anxiety worsens sleep quality.

Table 3.

Correlation Analysis of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Beck Anxiety Inventory^*

	Subjective sleep quality	Sleep latency	Sleep duration	Habitual sleep efficiency	Sleep disturbances	Use of sleeping medication	Daytime dysfunction	Total PSQI score**
BAI	r=0.471	r=0.299	r=0.089	r=0.216	r=0.446	r=0.111	r=0.433	r=0.480
score	p<0.001	p=0.001	p=0.326	p=0.016	p=<0.001	p=0.219	p<0.001	p<0.001

^*Spearman correlation analysis.

BAI: Beck Anxiety Inventory; PSQI: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

DISCUSSION

In the present study, 38.9% of the participants had poor sleep quality. In previous studies conducted in our country, poor sleep quality was detected in 41.1% to 53.2% of the participants [20-22]. Research performed abroad indicated an incidence rate of poor sleep quality between 32.5% and 57.5% [23-25].

Our investigation revealed a higher anxiety level in female participants; however, a correlation between gender and sleep quality was not found. Similarly, previous studies failed to find a correlation between gender and sleep quality [20, 23, 25]. However, James et al. [23] indicated that female gender was associated with a risk for bad sleep quality. Consistent with the literature, no correlation between sleep quality and age, education level, profession, or marital status was found in our survey [23, 25].

Research has not determined a correlation between income level and sleep quality and anxiety. However, in this study, sleep quality and anxiety were worse in individuals who could not meet their expenses. Lower socioeconomic status constitutes a disadvantage with regard to sleep quality and anxiety level, as is the case with many aspects of health. As indicated by Acheson et al. [26], improvement in individual socioeconomic status will lead to improvement in public health indicators.

In this survey, poorer sleep quality and a higher level of anxiety were detected in participants known to have a sleep-wake disorder, which is consistent with literature findings [20].

According to the results of our research, anxiety was greater in participants with a chronic disease and users of medication; however, no significant difference was found in sleep quality. James et al. [23] and Tirgari et al. [25] both reported a greater incidence rate of anxiety and sleep-wake disorders in individuals with chronic disease and those who use medication. In these surveys, the authors emphasized that chronic disease and continued use of medication constituted a risk for poor sleep quality. Therefore, in cases of chronic disease, psychological care should be part of the overall treatment plan and these individuals should be periodically evaluated by health professionals [26].

Our data also suggest that changes in sleep quality and anxiety level were related to the state of the individual’s relationship with his/her family and social environment: good relationships were associated with improved sleep quality and a lower anxiety level. Dogan et al. [28] demonstrated that anxiety decreased with increases in the level of perceived social support. Efforts to increase the level of social support for individuals will positively change their psychosocial well-being.

Previous investigations have analyzed and noted a relationship between sleep-wake disorders and anxiety disorders. In this investigation, an association was found between poor sleep quality and increased anxiety. Kara et al. [29] found a positive correlation between improvement in anxiety and sleep quality.

In conclusion, a significant level of poor sleep quality was detected in this study of employees in our community. Gender, income level, presence of chronic disease, regular use of medication, and the quality of relationships with family and the social environment were found to affect sleep quality and anxiety level. Ameliorative interventions targeting socioeconomic conditions and psychosocial care for the individuals with risk factors, such as chronic disease, will improve sleep quality and general psychosocial health, and decrease anxiety levels. Poor sleep quality has been found to be associated with increased anxiety. However, larger, prospective, in-depth investigations with diverse groups should be performed.