IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i21p14305-d960588.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Psychological Research on Sleep Problems and Adjustment of Working Hours during Teleworking in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra Figueiredo

    (Department of Psychology, Psychology Research Centre (CIP), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Raquel João

    (Department of Psychology, Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Laura Alho

    (Think Wise, 3810-133 Aveiro, Portugal
    Mind—Clinical and Forensic Institute, 1990-019 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • João Hipólito

    (Department of Psychology, Psychology Research Centre (CIP), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, 1169-023 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Mandatory home isolation caused by COVID-19 in professional contexts led to a situation that required work activities to be converted into a remote modality. The literature on this topic is very recent, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of virtual and face-to-face work modalities. This study aimed to examine the effects of adults’ prolonged exposure to screens on sleep quality, the type of devices used according to age and gender, periods of access to such devices and the impact on performance in the context of telework due to COVID-19. Specifically, the study analyzed the differences in the use of devices and in the time spent using them during and after teleworking between genders and age groups. A total of 127 Portuguese participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a questionnaire that we specifically developed to characterize teleworking habits. The results showed differences between men and women regarding the use of devices and its impact on sleep quality, as well as differences in terms of age. These results are discussed in terms of how the current work context may affect performance, sleep, gender differences and the adverse effects of exposure to screens during and after work hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Figueiredo & Raquel João & Laura Alho & João Hipólito, 2022. "Psychological Research on Sleep Problems and Adjustment of Working Hours during Teleworking in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14305-:d:960588
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14305/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14305/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carole Pelissier & Joelane Paredes & Martine Moulin & Thierry Bitot & Eric Fakra & Luc Fontana, 2021. "Telework and Psychological Health in Hospital Staff during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic in France," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Inês Mendonça & Franz Coelho & Paulo Ferrajão & Ana Maria Abreu, 2022. "Telework and Mental Health during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-23, February.
    3. José María Ortiz-Lozano & Pedro César Martínez-Morán & Iván Fernández-Muñoz, 2021. "Difficulties for Teleworking of Public Employees in the Spanish Public Administration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Adrian Bartoszek & Dariusz Walkowiak & Agnieszka Bartoszek & Grzegorz Kardas, 2020. "Mental Well-Being (Depression, Loneliness, Insomnia, Daily Life Fatigue) during COVID-19 Related Home-Confinement—A Study from Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Pablo A. Lizana & Gustavo Vega-Fernadez, 2021. "Teacher Teleworking during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Association between Work Hours, Work–Family Balance and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-11, July.
    6. Maja Rožman & Simona Sternad Zabukovšek & Samo Bobek & Polona Tominc, 2021. "Gender Differences in Work Satisfaction, Work Engagement and Work Efficiency of Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case in Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Sevgi Çoban, 2022. "Gender and telework: Work and family experiences of teleworking professional, middle‐class, married women with children during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Turkey," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 241-255, January.
    8. Borja Sañudo & Curtis Fennell & Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver, 2020. "Objectively-Assessed Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Smartphone Use, and Sleep Patterns Pre- and during-COVID-19 Quarantine in Young Adults from Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-12, July.
    9. Julia L. O. Beckel & Gwenith G. Fisher, 2022. "Telework and Worker Health and Well-Being: A Review and Recommendations for Research and Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-32, March.
    10. Eva Thulin & Bertil Vilhelmson & Martina Johansson, 2019. "New Telework, Time Pressure, and Time Use Control in Everyday Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Yang Yang & Keqiao Liu & Siqi Li & Man Shu, 2020. "Social Media Activities, Emotion Regulation Strategies, and Their Interactions on People’s Mental Health in COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, December.
    12. Kooij, Dorien T. A. M. & Zacher, Hannes & Wang, Mo & Heckhausen, Jutta, 2020. "Successful aging at work: A process model to guide future research and practice," Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 345-365, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jorge de Andrés-Sánchez, 2023. "A Configurational Evaluation of Spanish Teleworkers’ Perception and Nonperception of Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Philipp Bagus & José Antonio Peña-Ramos & Antonio Sánchez-Bayón, 2021. "COVID-19 and the Political Economy of Mass Hysteria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. David Shaholli & Maria Vittoria Manai & Francesco Iantorno & Luca Di Giampaolo & Hector Alberto Nieto & Emilio Greco & Giuseppe La Torre & Simone De Sio, 2024. "Teleworking and Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review on Health Effects and Preventive Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Justine M. Y. Chim & Tien Li Chen, 2023. "Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-24, February.
    5. Constantin Aurelian Ionescu & Melinda Timea Fülöp & Dan Ioan Topor & Mircea Constantin Duică & Sorina Geanina Stanescu & Nicoleta Valentina Florea & Mariana Zamfir & Mihaela Denisa Coman, 2022. "Sustainability Analysis, Implications, and Effects of the Teleworking System in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Tea Korkeakunnas & Marina Heiden & Malin Lohela-Karlsson & Komalsingh Rambaree, 2023. "Managers’ Perceptions of Telework in Relation to Work Environment and Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    7. Tiberiu Constantin Ionescu & Bogdana Ioana Fetecau & Stefan Zaharia & Elma-Maria Mînecan & Catalina Tudose, 2023. "Sleepless Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Insomnia Symptoms among Professionally Active Romanians during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    8. Nicole Chaudhary & Megan Jones & Sean P. M. Rice & Laura Zeigen & Saurabh Suhas Thosar, 2024. "Transitioning to Working from Home Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Increased Sedentary Behavior and Decreased Physical Activity: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, June.
    9. Jihad FRAIJ & Nemer ABURUMMAN, 2021. "How Does Telework Act As A Solution To The Public Sector In The Time Of Pandemic?," Network Intelligence Studies, Romanian Foundation for Business Intelligence, Editorial Department, issue 17, pages 13-24, June.
    10. Éva Bácsné Bába & Anetta Müller & Christa Pfau & Renátó Balogh & Éva Bartha & György Szabados & Zoltán Bács & Kinga Ráthonyi-Ódor & Gergely Ráthonyi, 2023. "Sedentary Behavior Patterns of the Hungarian Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    11. Leonel Prieto & Md Farid Talukder, 2023. "Resilient Agility: A Necessary Condition for Employee and Organizational Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    12. Tea Korkeakunnas & Malin Lohela-Karlsson & Marina Heiden & Komalsingh Rambaree, 2025. "Telework Uncovered: Employees’ Perceptions Across Various Occupations in an Industrial Company," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, February.
    13. Jihye Choi & Youjeong Park & Hye-Eun Kim & Jihyeok Song & Daeun Lee & Eunhye Lee & Hyeonjin Kang & Jeeho Lee & Jihyeon Park & Ji-Woo Lee & Seongeun Ye & Seul Lee & Sohee Ryu & Yeojeong Kim & Ye-Ri Kim, 2021. "Daily Life Changes and Life Satisfaction among Korean School-Aged Children in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    14. Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria & Idoia Legorburu Fernnadez & Darren M. Lipnicki & Nahia Idoiaga Mondragon & Javier Santabárbara, 2023. "Prevalence of Burnout among Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-13, March.
    15. Ellen Lagrell & Ana Gil Solá, 2021. "Car Use of the Carless in Sweden: Everyday Life Conditions for Reducing Car Dependence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    16. Anthony Barr & Darlene Booth-Bell & Kristen Broady & Ryan Perry, 2023. "The Covid-19 Pandemic Spurred Growth in Automation: What Does this Mean for Minority Workers?," Working Paper Series WP 2023-06, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    17. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    18. Meng Xuan Zhang & Juliet Honglei Chen & Kwok Kit Tong & Eilo Wing-yat Yu & Anise M. S. Wu, 2021. "Problematic Smartphone Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Its Association with Pandemic-Related and Generalized Beliefs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    19. Mehmet Güney Celbiş & Pui-Hang Wong & Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp, 2021. "Innovativeness, Work Flexibility, and Place Characteristics: A Spatial Econometric and Machine Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-29, December.
    20. Zhe Cheng & Xinzhou Wu & Victor Kuzmichev & Dominique Adolphe, 2022. "The Influence of Major Ergonomic Factors on the Demand for Underwear in the Highly Educated Male Group," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-10, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14305-:d:960588. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.