This investigation of workers at scientific organizations affiliated with the Tsukuba Science City Network in Tsukuba City revealed that exposure to bullying and domestic violence during childhood is associated with insomnia. In particular, the probability of insomnia increases with increasing frequency of domestic violence victimization.

Tsukuba, Japan—Insomnia is a prevalent issue that increases the risk of various health complications and affects approximately 10% of Japanese adults. While socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors, and work stress all contribute to insomnia, childhood experiences have received considerable attention in recent years. Exposure to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse as well as bullying and family dysfunction, collectively termed "adversarial childhood experiences" (ACEs), are known to have detrimental health consequences. However, there is a paucity of research on the effects of ACEs on insomnia among workers.

The research team examined whether childhood bullying and domestic violence (DV) were associated with insomnia among workers in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The results indicated that 2,997 (41.8%) participants were diagnosed with insomnia using the Athens insomnia scale. Experiences of bullying and domestic violence victimization were associated with insomnia, particularly among victims of DV, and the likelihood of insomnia increased with the frequency of victimization. This trend persisted even after adjusting for the effects of demographic characteristics, occupational factors, and lifestyle.

This study suggests that childhood experiences of bullying and DV are linked to insomnia among workers. This implies that it is essential for occupational health professionals, such as occupational physicians and public health nurses, to pay attention to insomnia when identifying workers with ACEs as a part of their occupational health activities.

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This study was funded by a committee activity budgets from the Tsukuba Science City Network.

Original Paper

Title of original paper:

Relationships Between Childhood Bullying/Domestic Violence Experience and Insomnia among Employees in Japan

Journal:

F1000Research

DOI:

10.12688/f1000research.129340.2

Correspondence

Assistant Professor SASAHARA Shinichiro
Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba

Related Link

Institute of Medicine