How Workplace Bullying Leads to Sleep Problems and Insomnia in Couples

Impacts of Workplace Bullying on Sleep

Workplace bullying can profoundly affect employees' health, leading to sleep problems and insomnia for both individuals and their partners. Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Spanish universities discovered this link, revealing that repeated exposure to workplace bullying increases sleep issues over time.

Effects on Insomnia

The study outlines several crucial factors:

• Sleep Severity: Bullying contributed to waking up too early and difficulty falling asleep.
• Sleep Impact: Daily life interference was reported among those affected by workplace bullying.
• Sleep Satisfaction: Relationships were shown to be significantly impacted, with insomnia symptoms becoming 'contagious' between partners.

Rumination and Coping Mechanisms

Notably, rumination became a pattern observed in individuals enduring workplace bullying. This constant revisiting of distressing thoughts aggravated their sleep problems. Professor Ana Sanz-Vergel highlighted that this way of coping does not resolve underlying issues but instead may worsen sleep quality.

Interconnected Sleep Health in Relationships

Insomnia can extend beyond the individual, illustrating how partners can influence each other's sleep patterns. Professor Sanz Vergel accentuates the potential for mutual effects. Interventions, including couple-oriented strategies for coping with workplace bullying and training for disconnection from work, may mitigate these effects and enhance overall sleep health.