Awareness and commitment training for workers with chronic demands : taking ACTion towards improved sleep and wellbeing

Abstract

Sleep is critical for functioning and wellbeing, but many workers struggle with sleep because of chronic demands (e.g., health problems, caregiving, or shift work; e.g., Bohle, 2016). This project had three objectives: 1) to investigate the relationships among chronic demands, sleep, and wellbeing; 2) to evaluate the efficacy of a phone-based coaching program called Awareness & Commitment Training in Organizational Networks (ACTion) to improve wellbeing; and 3) to determine whether ACTion, a general (i.e., not sleep-specific) program, can improve sleep. Mental health concerns were more strongly related to poor wellbeing than were any other chronic demands. ACTion participants (n = 32) reacted positively to the program and reported improvements in behavior. However, compared to the control group (n = 33), ACTion participants did not exhibit significant improvements in sleep quality or wellbeing. Longer term measurement may be necessary to detect improvements in wellbeing, and targeted sleep content may be necessary.