

Repetitive thoughts on rude behaviour at work results in insomnia, study says
If you’ve had a bad day at work thanks to rude colleagues, doing something fun and relaxing after you punch out could net you a better night’s sleep.
That was the key finding of research that appears in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.
“Sleep quality is crucial because sleep plays a major role in how employees perform and behave at work,” said lead author Caitlin Demsky, PhD, of Oakland University. “In our fast-paced, competitive professional world, it is more important than ever that workers are in the best condition to succeed, and getting a good night’s sleep is key to that.”
Demsky and her co-authors surveyed 699 employees of the U.S. Forest Service. Participants were asked to rate the level of rude behaviour they experienced in the workplace, how often they had negative thoughts about work, whether they have insomnia symptoms and how much they were able to detach from work and relax. Researchers also asked about the number of children under 18 living at home, hours worked per week, and frequency of alcoholic drinks as these have previously been linked with sleep issues.
Experiencing rude or negative behaviour at work, such as being judged or verbally abused, was linked to more symptoms of insomnia, including waking up multiple times during the night. But people who were able to detach and do something relaxing to recover after work — such as yoga, listening to music or going for a walk – slept better.
“Incivility in the workplace takes a toll on sleep quality,” said Demsky. “It does so in part by making people repeatedly think about their negative work experiences. Those who can take mental breaks from this fare better and do not lose as much sleep as those who are less capable of letting go.”
Repeated negative thoughts about work may also be linked to several health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, increased blood pressure and fatigue, according to the authors.
Demsky suggests that managers can be role models for employees after work by not sending work-related messages outside of business hours, for example.
The authors also suggested that employers encourage programs aimed at reducing workplace incivility, such as “Civility, Respect, Engagement in the Workforce,” launched by the Veterans Health Administration to promote positive and respectful communication among co-workers. The program seeks to change work cultures with resources that focus on the benefits of civility at the office.
###
Article: “Workplace Incivility and Employee Sleep: The Role of Rumination and Recovery Experiences,” by Caitlin Demsky, PhD, Oakland University, Charlotte Fritz, PhD, Portland State University, Leslie Hammer, PhD, Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University, and Anne Black, PhD, USDA Forest Service. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, published Apr. 23, 2018.
Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs Office and at
http://www.
more recommended stories
Insufficient menstrual cycle education provided in UK schools
A UK-wide study led by Swansea.
Self-awareness is key to helping kids cope with back-to-school stress
Tips for parents and teachers
Boys who play video games have a lower depression risk
Different types of screen time can.
Engaged dads can reduce adolescent behavioural problems & improve well-being
Researchers urge to increase the opportunities.
Stay in touch with your emotions to reduce pandemic-induced stress
Managing stress during the pandemic
Teens diagnosed with depression show reduction in educational achievement
Loss of potential: teens diagnosed with.
Childhood connection to nature has many benefits but is not universally positive
A review finds a connection to.
Expand school digital literacy lessons to cover health technologies used by young people
Young people are accessing digital health.
Children who have difficult relationships with their mothers are clingy towards teachers
USA based researchers found that these.
Getting children to eat their greens? Both parents need to set an example
A positive example set by both.
Leave a Comment