Sleeping Disorders and Anxiety in Academicians: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between anxiety and sleep disorders and also to investigate the frequency of sleep disorders those with anxiety disorders among academicians who is a limited study group. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty academicians from different faculties across our campus participated in the study with a gender distribution of 47% males and 53% females. The study was conducted by a combined questionnaire which has four sections about (i) demographic information, (ii) sleep stages and sleep quality screening, (iii) scaling of sleep disorders and (iv) scale of anxiety. Results: Anxiety in female and male participants was found to be 59% and 41% respectively. The total score of anxiety scale was positively correlated (r=0.168, p<0.05) with the total score of sleep disorders scale. Total score of anxiety scale was negatively correlated (r=-0.75, p>0.05) with the total score of sleep quality. 51% of study group has insomnia which was found to be the most common sleep disorder whereas nightmare is the most prevalent sleep disorder for people who have anxiety problem. Conclusion: Our findings are evidence that sleep disorders and anxiety in academicians are interrelated and academicians should be in a more stress-free working environment in order to increase efficiency.