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Lack of sleep, work and the long hours culture: evidence from the UK Time Use Survey

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  • Stella Chatzitheochari

    (University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, s.chatzitheochari@surrey.ac.uk)

  • Sara Arber

    (University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, s.arber@surrey.ac.uk)

Abstract

Sleep is functional for individual and societal well-being, with partial sleep deprivation associated with adverse health and safety consequences. Surprisingly, sleep is absent from work—life balance debates and has remained largely under-researched by sociologists. This article examines the relationship of insufficient sleep duration with occupational circumstances and family responsibilities, providing a contribution to the examination of the health consequences of working patterns in the UK. We analyse time use data from 2000, focusing on a sub-sample of workers aged 20—60 years ( n = 2882). Nested logistic regression modelling is used to identify the segments of the working population getting a short sleep duration that if sustained may have negative health outcomes. An inverse relationship between working hours and sleep duration is found, which is stronger for men than women. Shift work and social class are also significant predictors of short sleep for men.

Suggested Citation

  • Stella Chatzitheochari & Sara Arber, 2009. "Lack of sleep, work and the long hours culture: evidence from the UK Time Use Survey," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 23(1), pages 30-48, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:23:y:2009:i:1:p:30-48
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017008099776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Williams, Simon J. & Coveney, Catherine M. & Gabe, Jonathan, 2013. "Medicalisation or customisation? Sleep, enterprise and enhancement in the 24/7 society," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 40-47.
    5. Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir & Sigurður Páll Ólafsson & Gylfi Zoega, 2016. "Sleep and the management of alertness," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 15(2), pages 169-189, November.

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