The Bridge Symptoms of Work–Family Conflict, Sleep Disorder, and Job Burnout: A Network Analysis

Background: This study aims to elucidate characteristics of the symptom network of work–family conflict (WFC) and sleep disorders among Chinese correctional personnels while accounting for job burnout as a possible confounder.

Method: A total of 472 correctional personnel were included. Their WFC, sleep disorders, and job burnout were measured using a Chinese version of Work–Family Conflict Scale (WFCS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and a revised Chinese version of Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), respectively. Central symptoms and bridge symptoms were respectively identified based on centrality indices and bridge centrality indices. Network stability was examined using the case-dropping procedure.

Results: Daytime condition (strength = 0.01) and strain-based work interference with family (WFCs, strength = 1.45) symptoms had the highest centrality values in the WFC-sleep disorder network structure, which were also identified as two bridge symptoms. Emotional exhaustion, daytime condition, and WFCs appeared to be potential bridge symptoms in the WFC–sleep disorder–burnout network structure.

Conclusions: In this study, among Chinese correctional personnel, daytime conditions, and WFCs were found to be central symptoms in the WFC–sleep disorder network structure, with emotional exhaustion as the bridge symptom in the WFC–sleep disorder–burnout network structure. We encourage relevant organizations to provide timely and effective education and guidance for regulatory personnel regarding these bridge symptoms. Subsequent research should follow up to assess the impact of relevant interventions on symptoms in the WFC–sleep disorder–burnout network, thereby advocating for the mental and physical health of correctional personnel.