The Influence of Workload and Autonomy on Employee Mental Health Outcomes: The Role of Sleep Quality

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of workload and work autonomy on employee mental health outcomes, specifically emotional exhaustion and anxiety, with sleep quality as a moderating factor. The research focuses on employees in the insurance sector within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, an industry known for its high-pressure work environment and growing demands. Using a cross-sectional quantitative research design, data were collected from 300 participants through structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using regression analysis to explore the relationships between workload, autonomy, emotional exhaustion, and anxiety, as well as the moderating effect of sleep quality. First, workload exhibited a significant positive relationship with both anxiety and emotional exhaustion, indicating that higher workloads contribute to increased levels of these mental health outcomes. Conversely, autonomy demonstrated a significant negative relationship with anxiety and emotional exhaustion, suggesting that greater control over one’s work reduces mental health strain. Sleep quality was found to moderate the relationship between autonomy and anxiety, as well as between workload and anxiety, meaning that better sleep quality could buffer the negative effects of workload and lack of autonomy on anxiety. However, sleep quality did not moderate the relationship between either autonomy or workload and emotional exhaustion. Lastly, marital status was found to have a relationship with anxiety and sleep quality. Findings were discussed in line with theory and literature.