Sleeping To Support? The Interactive Effects of Leader Sleep Quantity and Quality on Leader- and Employee-Reported Support Behaviors

Although research has documented the relationship between sleep and work outcomes among employees, less research has focused on the role of sleep among workplace leaders. We investigate the link between leader self-reported and actigraphic sleep quantity and outcomes of positive leader support behaviors (i.e., family supportive supervisor behaviors [FSSB], and sleep leadership supportive behaviors [SLSB]) reported by both the leader (<i>N</i> = 178) and their direct reports (<i>N</i> = 393). Additionally, we examine the interaction between leader sleep quantity and sleep quality indicators (i.e., insomnia symptoms, sleep dissatisfaction, and actigraphic wake after sleep onset [WASO]) on FSSB and SLSB. No main effects were found; however, the results suggest that the relationship between leader sleep and downstream support behaviors is more intricate and nuanced than formerly theorized. Surprisingly, the relationship between leader sleep duration and employee reports of FSSB and SLSB was positive under conditions of high leader insomnia symptoms, yet negative under conditions of low leader insomnia symptoms. A similar pattern emerged for actigraphic total sleep time and employee reports of SLSB which were positive when leaders had increased WASO, yet negative when leaders had lower ratings of WASO. In addition, the relationship between leader sleep duration and leader reports of SLSB was negative when leaders were dissatisfied with their sleep, yet positive when leaders were satisfied. These results inform workplace interventions aimed at promoting leader support behaviors as well as public health campaigns focused on improving sleep health among the general population.