DOI: 10.1177/03080226261466551 ISSN: 0308-0226

The association between sleep hygiene and occupational balance in individuals with schizophrenia

Etkin Bağcı, Hatice Abaoğlu, Gamze Ekici

Introduction:

Sleep hygiene, the set of practices promoting healthy sleep, is crucial for daily functioning and recovery. In individuals with schizophrenia, sleep difficulties and poor occupational balance are prevalent and may interact to limit participation. This study examined the association between sleep hygiene and occupational balance in this population.

Method:

A cross-sectional study included 84 individuals with schizophrenia from Turkish nongovernmental organizations (February–September 2024). Participants completed the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11-T). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and bootstrapped linear regression.

Results:

Participants’ mean age was 46.79 ± 10.71 years; 81% were male. Mean OBQ11-T score was 18.14 ± 7.56 (moderate balance), median SHI was 19 (14–22). A significant modest negative correlation was found between sleep hygiene and occupational balance ( r  = −0.276, p  = 0.011). Regression analysis showed sleep hygiene significantly predicted occupational balance (β = −0.27, p  = 0.01), explaining 7% of variance.

Conclusion:

Poorer sleep hygiene is associated with lower occupational balance in schizophrenia and is a modest but significant predictor. Integrating sleep hygiene education with activity structuring in psychosocial rehabilitation may support occupational balance, participation, and well-being.

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