Sleep Quality Mediating the Relationship between Workload Stress and Emotional Exhaustion in Employed Females
Keywords:
Workload Stress, Sleep Quality, Emotional Exhaustion, Mediation, Female Employees, Occupational HealthAbstract
This study aimed to examine the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between workload stress and emotional exhaustion among employed females. A descriptive correlational design was adopted, and data were collected from 390 employed women in Canada using standardized self-report instruments. Workload stress was measured by the Workload Subscale of the Occupational Stress Inventory–Revised (Osipow, 1998), sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989), and emotional exhaustion by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). Sampling was determined using the Morgan and Krejcie (1970) table, ensuring representativeness across occupational groups. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 for descriptive and correlational statistics and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the mediation model. Model fit was evaluated through multiple indices, including χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. The results indicated that workload stress significantly predicted emotional exhaustion both directly (β = 0.41, p < .001) and indirectly through sleep quality (β = 0.16, p < .001). Workload stress was positively associated with poor sleep quality (β = 0.38, p < .001), and poor sleep quality was strongly related to higher emotional exhaustion (β = 0.44, p < .001). The total effect of workload stress on emotional exhaustion was substantial (β = 0.57, p < .001). Model fit indices demonstrated an excellent fit (χ²(54) = 87.43, χ²/df = 1.62, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.041), confirming the adequacy of the hypothesized model. The study highlights that workload stress significantly contributes to emotional exhaustion among employed females, with sleep quality serving as a crucial mediating mechanism. These findings emphasize the importance of sleep health as a psychological and physiological buffer in occupational stress management. Organizations should prioritize interventions that regulate workload and promote restorative sleep to mitigate emotional exhaustion and enhance employee well-being.
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