Association between levels of satisfaction with interpersonal relationships and insomnia symptoms among women working in aged-care services in Japan.

Ryuichiro WATANABE; Ai IKEDA; Hadrien CHARVAT; Setsuko SATO; Yuka SUZUKI; Koutatsu MARUYAMA; Kiyohide TOMOOKA; Hiroo WADA; Yasunari KOYAMA; Takeshi TANIGAWA

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Association between levels of satisfaction with interpersonal relationships and insomnia symptoms among women working in aged-care services in Japan.

Author: Ryuichiro WATANABE ¹ ; Ai IKEDA ¹ ; Hadrien CHARVAT ¹ ; Setsuko SATO ¹ ; Yuka SUZUKI ¹ ; Koutatsu MARUYAMA ² ; Kiyohide TOMOOKA ¹ ; Hiroo WADA ¹ ; Yasunari KOYAMA ¹ ; Takeshi TANIGAWA ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine.
2. Graduate School of Agriculture, Department of Bioscience, Ehime University.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Insomnia symptoms; Interpersonal relationships; Structural equation model; Work–family conflict
MeSH: Humans; Japan/epidemiology*; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/psychology*; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Interpersonal Relations; Young Adult; Adolescent; Personal Satisfaction; Health Services for the Aged/statistics & numerical data*
From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():47-47
CountryJapan
Language:English
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The demand for aged-care services in Japan has surged due to the country's aging population. Furthermore, nationwide survey on the current state of aged-care services revealed that the primary reason for the resignation of women working in these sectors was poor interpersonal relationships. Moreover, given that women working in aged-care services work in shifts around the clock to manage the health and safety of the people in their care, they are at high risk of health-related issues including insomnia symptoms. Thus, we aim to examine the association between levels of satisfaction with interpersonal relationships (LSIR) and insomnia symptoms for women working in aged-care services in Japan, as well as the effect of work-life imbalance on the association between LSIR and insomnia symptoms.
METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, the participants were 472 women aged 18-60 years who worked in aged-care services in Japan in 2014-2016. Insomnia symptoms were measured using the Athens Insomnia Scale, and scores of 6 or greater indicated the presence of insomnia. LSIR were assessed through self-administered questionnaires and evaluated at three levels. The association between LSIR and insomnia symptoms was evaluated using a multinominal logistic regression model. Path analysis was used to examine the potential effects of LSIR on insomnia symptoms by incorporating covariates such as work-family conflict, marital status, and depressive symptoms.
RESULTS:Compared to high LSIR, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of insomnia symptoms were respectively 1.36 (0.81-2.30) and 2.42 (1.11-5.23) for medium and low LSIR. The path analysis showed that low LSIR were significantly associated with having high work-to-family (W-to-F) conflict and being single.
CONCLUSIONS:Low LSIR were significantly associated with insomnia symptoms among women working in aged-care services in Japan. High W-to-F conflict exacerbated this relationship. Therefore, enhancing interpersonal relationships may be necessary for preventing insomnia. However, due to the cross-sectional nature of our study, causality cannot be inferred. Further longitudinal research is needed to better understand these associations.