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Sleepless in the Code: Exploring the Relationship Between Occupational Anxiety and Sleep Patterns in the Software Industry

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Systems, Software and Services Process Improvement (EuroSPI 2024)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 2179))

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Abstract

In the software development sector, the prevalent issues of job-related anxiety and impaired sleep quality significantly affect practitioners’ well-being and efficiency. This investigation explores the intricate relationship between these factors, highlighting their critical impact on software professionals. A study with 99 participants revealed a positive correlation between job anxiety and poor sleep quality, with the majority experiencing sleep disruptions, including insomnia. The analysis pointed out that anticipatory anxiety and widespread worrying may be critical contributors to sleep issues, underscoring the complex interplay between workplace stress and sleep patterns. These findings emphasize the necessity for organizations to implement measures aimed at reducing job stress and enhancing sleep quality. By adopting strategies that alleviate anxiety and promote better quality sleep, there is potential to improve both the mental health and productivity of software professionals. This study illuminates the pressing need to address mental health concerns within the software industry, advocating for a holistic approach that considers the well-being of practitioners as paramount for sustained professional success and personal health.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported in part by SFI, Science Foundation Ireland (https://www.sfi.ie/) grant No SFI 13/RC/2094_P2 to Lero - the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye

    Arife Gülşah Erol & Murat Yilmaz

  2. School of Computing, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Paul M. Clarke

  3. Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Paul M. Clarke

Authors
  1. Arife Gülşah Erol
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  2. Murat Yilmaz
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  3. Paul M. Clarke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arife Gülşah Erol .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye

    Murat Yilmaz

  2. Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    Paul Clarke

  3. Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France

    Andreas Riel

  4. I.S.C.N. GesmbH, Graz, Austria

    Richard Messnarz

  5. Munich University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany

    Christian Greiner

  6. Munich University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Peisl

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Erol, A.G., Yilmaz, M., Clarke, P.M. (2024). Sleepless in the Code: Exploring the Relationship Between Occupational Anxiety and Sleep Patterns in the Software Industry. In: Yilmaz, M., Clarke, P., Riel, A., Messnarz, R., Greiner, C., Peisl, T. (eds) Systems, Software and Services Process Improvement. EuroSPI 2024. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 2179. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71139-8_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-71139-8_3

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