0251 Association Between Sleep Disruption and Workplace Productivity: The Hidden Cost of Caregiving

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-05, Vol.43 (Supplement_1), p.A96-A96
• Main Authors: Robbins, R, Weaver, M D, Barger, L K, Quan, S F, Zhivotovsky, S, Czeisler, C A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absenteeism; Caregivers; Generalized linear models; Productivity; Sleep
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.249

Abstract Introduction Caregiving for older spouses or family members is common with an aging population. The responsibilities caregivers maintain can disrupt sleep, which may present workplace productivity consequences. We sought to test whether caregiving-related sleep disturbance was associated with workplace productivity among adults caring for older spouses and family members. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of the 2011 National Study of Caregiving dataset was conducted. The dataset is comprised of family members and unpaid caregivers to older adults in the U.S. (age 65 and above) receiving assistance with self-care, mobility, or household activities. Caregivers reported the frequency of sleep disturbance (“In the last month, how often did caregiving cause your sleep to be interrupted”) from 0 (“never” or “rarely”) to 1 (“some nights”) and 2 (“most nights” or “every night”). Workplace measures included: 1) presenteeism, or the degree to which caregiving affected productivity at work, measured from 1 “not at all” to 10 “very much”; 2) absenteeism, or the proportion of hours missed from work due to caregiving to total hours worked, and 3) productivity loss, or the sum of absenteeism and presenteeism. Generalized linear models examined the relationship between workplace productivity and sleep disturbance, while controlling for relevant covariates, including age, income, education, and self-reported health. Results Participants comprised 2,007 caregivers. Mean (SD) age was 63.5 (12.9), and 66.4% of the participants were women (n=1,334). The most common relationship to the older adult was daughter (n=704, 35.1%), followed by spouse/partner (n=422,21.0%), and son (n=310,15.5%). Compared to no “rarely” or “never” experiencing sleep disruption, reporting disruption “most nights” or “every night” was associated with presenteeism (OR=1.2, 95%CI:1.1–1.2), absenteeism (OR=1.1, 95%CI: 1.0–1.1), and total productivity loss (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.1 to 1.3). Conclusion Caregiving-related sleep disruption is a risk factor for workplace productivity losses, hindering caregivers from professional advancement and further degrading their caregiver capacity. Future study of means for improving sleep among caregivers is warranted. Support T32HL007901