Economic stress can impact sleep patterns, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Rice University. The study analyzed data from full-time Army and Air National Guard personnel over nine months, gathering sleep information through wrist-worn devices and self-reports.
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Participants reported their financial stress at the study's beginning, bedtime stress behaviors four months later, and their sleep health five months after that. The results revealed that financial stress increased bedtime stress, leading to insomnia, decreased sleep quality, and greater daytime impairments affecting learning and attention.
The researchers noted that feelings of financial vulnerability—such as concerns about affording basic necessities, job security, or dependence on a paycheck—could disrupt sleep even among those who seem financially stable.
Rebecca Brossoit, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Rice and a co-author of the study, emphasized the widespread nature of economic stress in a society struggling with sleep quality.
Brossoit also mentioned that organizations should address these stressors through strategies like competitive pay, benefits, supervisor support, career development opportunities, financial planning resources, and flexible schedules to enhance employee well-being. She suggested that the costs of implementing these strategies could be outweighed by the benefits of a workforce experiencing better quality sleep.
The findings were published in the Journal of Business and Psychology.