Effects of perceived sleep quality on creative behavior via work engagement: the moderating role of gender

Abstract

Abstract Background Sleep quality significantly impacts employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Using ego depletion theory, we examined the influence of sleep quality on work engagement and creative behavior, also investigating gender differences in these effects. Methods A multi-wave survey approach was employed with a six-week interval between waves for data collection. Participants were recruited online across two waves, totaling 322 employees from the United Kingdom and the United States. Results Regression analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, mediated by work engagement. Additionally, gender moderated both the direct and indirect effects of sleep quality. Conclusion The study found a positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, mediated by work engagement, with notable gender differences. Sleep quality had a stronger impact on work engagement for men than women, and a stronger indirect effect on creative behavior through work engagement. These findings add to the existing literature on the influence of sleep quality on creative behavior.

Keywords

• Sleep quality
• Creative behavior
• Work engagement
• Gender
• Ego depletion theory