PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Research has shown that work-related distress can promote the development of mental disorders. Experiencing this kind of distress might also influence a person's work pattern and this pattern might then support the presence of mental disorders. Other factors like sleep behavior or perceived self-efficacy may also play an important role in developing a mental disorder. This study aimed to examine the connection between work patterns, average number of hours of sleep, self-efficacy, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, patterns G and B of the work-related behavior and experience patterns (Arbeitsbezogene Verhaltens- und Erlebensmuster, AVEM) were considered. Pattern G is linked to a healthy and positive work-related behavior (e. g., being distanced to work despite a high level of work engagement), whereas pattern B is connected to the concept of burnout as well as negative work-related behavior (e. g., not being able to distance oneself from work at the end of work). Out of 231 participants, 83 were attributed to either pattern G or B of the short-version of the AVEM (AVEM-44). Participants with pattern G reported more hours of sleep, a higher level of perceived self-efficacy and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than those with pattern B. Furthermore, a lower level of self-efficacy led to fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as a lower average number of hours of sleep. Those decreased hours of sleep were also emphasized as a predictor for the presence of depressive and anxious symptoms. Finally, the relation between self-efficacy and symptoms of depression and anxiety was mediated by the hours slept. Our results confirm that healthy work-related behavior is not only associated with fewer psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression) but rather with a higher level of self-efficacy and more hours of sleep. From this relation, implications for employers can be derived.