Dados do Trabalho

Título

THE INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON SLEEP QUALITY AND OCCUPATIONAL IMBALANCE IN STUDENTS AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs)

Introdução

Sleep is an essential physiological state for rest and regeneration of the body and mind. The greater inclusion of women in health courses reflects a culture where care functions were often delegated to them. This choice may also be associated with the desire to care and the empowerment that health courses provide. This gender is associated with excessive work, multiple tasks, emotional overload and less favorable economic situation and physiological and cyclical hormonal variations that contribute to high levels of stress causing changes in the sleep-wake cycle and also an occupational imbalance. Occupational Therapy comes to assist in the satisfactory execution of occupations, reducing the negative impacts on women's well-being and quality of life.

Objetivo

To analyze the influence of gender roles on sleep quality in female students at an HEI.

Métodos

This is a cross-sectional study with health course students aged between 18 and over 36 in the morning and evening shifts. Patients being treated for sleep disorders and/or taking medication were excluded. Data collection was carried out using the following questionnaires: Sociodemographic, Occupational Performance History Interview/Daily Activities Scale (ADLs) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The significance level used in the decision of statistical tests will be 5%.

Resultados

The study included a sample of 261 students, 212 of whom were women (81,2%) and 49 men (18,8%). There was a prevalence of poor sleep quality (87.7%) in the general sample and among women (90.6%). Students reported higher rates of performance impairment, respectively, in the area of ​​Studies (37.3%), followed by Leisure (24.5%) and Self-Care (17.5%). Data indicates that women face greater sleep problems and are consequently more prone to insomnia, depression, headaches, irritability and fatigue than men.

Conclusões

It is concluded that women have a greater impact on their sleep quality due to social and cultural factors causing a loss in the involvement and organization of their daily activities. It is necessary to carry out more research focused on female sleep in order to contribute to improving their quality of life.

Palavras -chave

Women's Health; Students; Sleep; Occupational Therapy.