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The bidirectional relationship between sleep and daily burnout‐related experiences: Self-report vs. actigraphy-derived measures

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Although previous research suggests a link between sleep disturbances and burnout, little is known about the causal direction of day-to-day relationships between sleep and experiences related to burnout in nonclinical employees. This study explores the bidirectional relationship between self-reported and actigraphy-derived metrics of sleep and daily burnout-related experiences (exhaustion, [a lack of] feeling positively challenged, and boredom) and whether these relationships depend on high vs. low levels of trait burnout. METHODS: Seventy-two employees participated in a 7-day experience sampling study. RESULTS: Disturbances in sleep quality predicted subsequent daily exhaustion and boredom, not the other way around. In contrast, a later sleep timing was related to feeling more positively challenged the next day, with a bidirectional relationship between feeling positively challenged and sleep offset. Moreover, trait burnout moderated the relationship between several sleep parameters and burnout-related experiences. CONCLUSION: Experiencing disturbances in sleep while already experiencing trait burnout potentially drives the depletion of energy as found in burnout development and may thus be an important intervention factor to prevent the development of chronic burnout.

Source: Sleep Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2025.03.007

Authors: Sophia Frick, Karin Smolders, Leander van der Meij, Evangelia Demerouti, Yvonne de Kort

Institution: Eindhoven University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Stress and Burnout Research

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000