Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Longitudinal approaches to studying the stressor-strain relationship, using theories like adaptation, have received increased attention in the literature.However, only psychological responses have been studied within the adaptation theory framework.As such, this study examines the adaptability of health behaviors (sleep quality, diet quality, and physical activity) in response to role overload in order to bridge this gap in the adaptation literature and provide insight into the dynamic relationship between workplace stressors and health behaviors.Participants (n = 520) completed five surveys, with one-month lags between assessments.Path analytic results indicate that people's health behaviors are negatively influenced by experiences of role overload within each time point; however, health behaviors adapt, or regress to previous levels, over time.Yet, the adaptation processes of the health behaviors did appear to differ, as sleep quality continued adapting to an experience of role overload across all time points, whereas diet quality and physical activity only demonstrated adaptation after one month.Results also suggest that sleep quality influences future experiences of role overload, such that poor sleep will make individuals more susceptible to future experiences of role overload.Theoretical and practical implications, as well as study limitations, are also discussed.
Author: Alexandra A. Henderson
Institution: Bowling Green State University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Division of Graduate Education
OpenAlex ID: W2622655923