Prevalence of Sleep Problems in Diverse Professions in India and Its HR Implications

Abstract

The present study investigated prevalence of sleep problem among four professional groups viz. i.e. Consultants, Academicians, Marketing Executives and Technical Professionals. The quality of sleep of the participants was assessed through Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness through the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. 419 professionals participated in the study (n = 419, age = 31 ± 7.7 years; Male = 202 and Female = 217). The study findings indicate 79.2% and 48% of the participants reported poor sleep quality and sleepiness correspondingly. No statistically significant difference was found in the mean PSQI and ESS scores between male and female participants. The mean PSQI score between the age group of 23–29 years and 49–54 years was significantly different, but not the ESS score. Daytime sleepiness of the consultant was higher and it was significantly different from Academicians, marketing Executives and Technical professionals. Our findings have important theoretical and practical implications and call into question the universality of the PSQI and ESS measures. Based upon the EFA and CFA analysis, the PSQI and ESS measure items are shortened to 4 and 7 items, respectively. We offer a shorter version of both the measures and indorse its use in Indian context.