Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between sleep duration and eating behaviours, stress symptoms, and burnout in healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine whether sleep duration influenced the psychosocial well-being of healthcare personnel, as well as to identify possible predictors and patterns of vulnerability in this population. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 194 public healthcare workers (mainly women and nursing staff). Validated questionnaires were used: the EAT-40, the EDI, the MBI, and a stress symptom scale. The participants were classified into two groups according to their sleep duration (fewer than six hours of sleep and six hours or more of sleep). RESULTS: A sleep duration of fewer than six hours was associated with higher levels of depersonalisation (burnout), physical and emotional symptoms of stress (fatigue, tachycardia, memory loss, crying easily), dysfunctional coping strategies (self-medication, isolation), and more restrictive eating behaviours. A regression analysis identified seven predictors of sleep duration: allergies, marital status, hours worked, depersonalisation, alcohol consumption, interpersonal distrust, and skipping meals, which together explained 18% of the variance. A network analysis showed positive correlations between these variables in the group with a shorter sleep duration, indicating a pattern of cumulative psychosocial vulnerability. CONCLUSIONS: Although the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, the results underscore the importance of sleep as a key factor in the emotional and functional well-being of healthcare personnel. Organisational interventions focused on promoting rest, emotional management, and stress prevention are suggested, considering sleep not only as a biological need, but also as a relevant indicator of psychosocial health for healthcare quality.