Abstract
ObjectiveWorkplace bullying has been established as a significant correlate of sleep problems. However, little is known regarding the causal direction between bullying and sleep. The aim of this study was to examine temporal relationships between bullying and symptoms of insomnia.MethodsReciprocal and prospective associations between exposure to workplace bullying and symptoms of insomnia were investigated in a national probability sample comprising 1149 Norwegian employees. Data stemmed from a two-wave full panel survey study with a 6-month time interval between the baseline and follow-up assessments. Models with stabilities, forward-, reverse-, and reciprocal associations were tested and compared using Structural Equation Modelling. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and the stability in the outcome variables over time. Workplace bullying was assessed with the nine-item Short Negative Acts Questionnaire. Insomnia was assessed with a previously validated three item scale reflecting problems with sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and early morning awakening.ResultsThe forward association model, which showed that exposure to workplace bullying prospectively increased levels of insomnia (b = 0.08; p < 0.001), had best fit with the data [CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.93; RMSEA = 0.049 (0.046–0.052)]. The reverse association model where insomnia influences risk of being subjected to bullying was not supported.ConclusionWorkplace bullying is a risk factor for later insomnia. There is a need for further studies on moderating and mediating variables that can explain how and when bullying influence sleep.
Highlights
Work and sleep are closely interrelated in our everyday life
Age was significantly and positively correlated with levels of insomnia at both T1 (r = 0.09; p < 0.01) and T2 (r = 0.07; p < 0.05), whereas female gender was associated with higher levels of insomnia at both time points (T1: r = 0.06; p < 0.05/T2: r = 0.07; p < 0.05) (Fig. 1)
Exposure to workplace bullying has previously been established as an important correlate of sleep problems, there is a shortage of studies that can shed light on
Summary
Work and sleep are closely interrelated in our everyday life. Most spend the majority of their time as adults either working or sleeping (Mullins et al 2014). Workers often attribute this to work-related stressors (Linton et al 2015). Poor sleep may subsequently lead to impaired daytime functioning, including reduced work performance (Swanson et al 2011). Even if bullying may be seen as an episodic stressor, due to the longevity of the exposure, workplace bullying can rather be considered as an on-going chronic stressor. Bullying is an escalating process, including both direct (e.g. being openly ridiculed) and indirect forms
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