Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities

We explored the impacts of the remote and return-to-in-person work periods on sleep and well-being as reported by faculty (<i>n</i> = 22) and non-teaching staff (<i>n</i> = 21) with and without disabilities. Participants were recruited through college platforms and personal c...

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Main Authors: Catherine S. Fichten, Samantha Wing, Georgiana Costin, Mary Jorgensen, Alice Havel, Susie Wileman, Sally Bailes, Laura Creti, Eva Libman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/10/844
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author Catherine S. Fichten
Samantha Wing
Georgiana Costin
Mary Jorgensen
Alice Havel
Susie Wileman
Sally Bailes
Laura Creti
Eva Libman
author_facet Catherine S. Fichten
Samantha Wing
Georgiana Costin
Mary Jorgensen
Alice Havel
Susie Wileman
Sally Bailes
Laura Creti
Eva Libman
author_sort Catherine S. Fichten
collection DOAJ
description We explored the impacts of the remote and return-to-in-person work periods on sleep and well-being as reported by faculty (<i>n</i> = 22) and non-teaching staff (<i>n</i> = 21) with and without disabilities. Participants were recruited through college platforms and personal contacts. Our results show that contrary to expectations, the COVID-19 remote teaching/working period resulted in better sleep, as well as greater well-being, than the return-to-in-person work period. With respect to sleep, faculty members had slightly more negative outcomes than staff, most evident in heightened anxiety and work aspects. Faculty with disabilities had somewhat worse sleep and well-being during the remote period than faculty without disabilities. During the return to in-person work, both faculty and non-teaching staff reported more negative than positive sleep and well-being outcomes. In particular, during the in-person period, faculty members experienced slightly more negative sleep outcomes related to anxiety and work, while staff members experienced slightly more negative sleep outcomes related to the need to commute and lifestyle. Our findings show that there were benefits and disadvantages to both remote and in-person work periods, suggesting a hybrid work schedule should be considered in more detail, particularly as an optional reasonable accommodation for faculty and staff with disabilities. Our study highlights that training to keep faculty abreast of the latest technological innovations, ways to promote work–life balance, and steps to remedy classroom size and building ventilation to prevent the spread of disease all need urgent attention.
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spelling doaj.art-1fbac26a86e748d2bf41cf701e2186ca2023-11-19T15:40:31ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2023-10-01131084410.3390/bs13100844Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without DisabilitiesCatherine S. Fichten0Samantha Wing1Georgiana Costin2Mary Jorgensen3Alice Havel4Susie Wileman5Sally Bailes6Laura Creti7Eva Libman8Department of Psychology, Dawson College, 3040 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC H3Z 1A4, CanadaAdaptech Research Network, 4001 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC H3Z 3G4, CanadaAdaptech Research Network, 4001 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC H3Z 3G4, CanadaAdaptech Research Network, 4001 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC H3Z 3G4, CanadaAdaptech Research Network, 4001 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC H3Z 3G4, CanadaAdaptech Research Network, 4001 de Maisonneuve W., Montreal, QC H3Z 3G4, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, CanadaWe explored the impacts of the remote and return-to-in-person work periods on sleep and well-being as reported by faculty (<i>n</i> = 22) and non-teaching staff (<i>n</i> = 21) with and without disabilities. Participants were recruited through college platforms and personal contacts. Our results show that contrary to expectations, the COVID-19 remote teaching/working period resulted in better sleep, as well as greater well-being, than the return-to-in-person work period. With respect to sleep, faculty members had slightly more negative outcomes than staff, most evident in heightened anxiety and work aspects. Faculty with disabilities had somewhat worse sleep and well-being during the remote period than faculty without disabilities. During the return to in-person work, both faculty and non-teaching staff reported more negative than positive sleep and well-being outcomes. In particular, during the in-person period, faculty members experienced slightly more negative sleep outcomes related to anxiety and work, while staff members experienced slightly more negative sleep outcomes related to the need to commute and lifestyle. Our findings show that there were benefits and disadvantages to both remote and in-person work periods, suggesting a hybrid work schedule should be considered in more detail, particularly as an optional reasonable accommodation for faculty and staff with disabilities. Our study highlights that training to keep faculty abreast of the latest technological innovations, ways to promote work–life balance, and steps to remedy classroom size and building ventilation to prevent the spread of disease all need urgent attention.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/10/844COVID-19sleepwell-beingremote and in-person workfaculty and staffdisabilities
spellingShingle Catherine S. Fichten
Samantha Wing
Georgiana Costin
Mary Jorgensen
Alice Havel
Susie Wileman
Sally Bailes
Laura Creti
Eva Libman
Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
Behavioral Sciences
COVID-19
sleep
well-being
remote and in-person work
faculty and staff
disabilities
title Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
title_full Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
title_fullStr Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
title_full_unstemmed Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
title_short Sleep and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Remote and In-Person Periods: Experiences of College Faculty and Staff with and without Disabilities
title_sort sleep and well being during the covid 19 remote and in person periods experiences of college faculty and staff with and without disabilities
topic COVID-19
sleep
well-being
remote and in-person work
faculty and staff
disabilities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/10/844
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