The association between work burnout and insomnia: how to prevent workers’ insomnia

Without a doubt, insomnia can seriously impair one’s health, daily and social lives and causes socio-economic burdens worldwide [1]. Various biological, lifestyle, and psycho-social factors can increase the risk of developing insomnia [2]. Because the most prevalent group with insomnia is the elderly, the risk factors in the elderly have received the most attention. However, specific risk factors of developing insomnia in the working generation should be elucidated to prevent socio-economic burdens. Recently, it has been documented that occupational health is more relevant than ever, especially focusing on healthcare professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic [3]. In particular, burnout is an occupational phenomenon that results from chronic stress in the workplace, and may be associated with various chronic lifestyle-related diseases, mortality, and psychological symptoms including insomnia and depression [4].

Fernández-Salinero and coauthors examined the influence of emotional exhaustion, a major component of burnout, on insomnia via work engagement factors in 823 Spanish workers [5]. Serial step mediation analysis suggested that vigor and absorption (factors of work engagement) tend to buffer the direct impact of burnout over insomnia, but not to revert it. In addition, multiple step mediation analyses showed that the model (burnout → vigor → dedication → absorption → insomnia) was a good fit and reverted the burnout effects over insomnia. They concluded that emotional exhaustion significantly impacts on insomnia, and vigor and absorption buffered the impact of emotional exhaustion over insomnia.

The authors indicated that a major limitation of the study was that the sample comprised individuals with decision-making capacity and relatively higher levels of education; thus, the results may be biased. In general, work burnout syndrome seems to be prevalent among individuals with various levels and categories of occupational fields. In addition, other factors, such as economic compensation, satisfaction in work itself and work environments could add a level of complexity, influencing on engagement factors and burnout [6]. Nonetheless, the current study provided important findings to prevent insomnia in workers. Insomnia itself can cause socio-economic burdens and develop severe psycho-physiological conditions including depression that exacerbate the burden and medical situations [7]. To break out the vicious circle, adequate maintenance of occupational conditions is needed. A longitudinal interventional study examining the effects of enhancing vigor and absorption on prevention of insomnia and work burnout is awaited.

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The author reports research grants from Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Pfizer, research grants and speaker’s honorarium from Eisai, MSD, and Takeda Pharmaceutical, and speaker’s honorarium from Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical, and Sumitomo Pharma, outside the submitted work.