A Narrative Review on Multifactorial Relationship between Sleep Quality, Work Family Conflict and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Implications for Quality of Life among Nurses

This narrative review examines the complex interrelationship between Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs), sleep disturbance, and Work Family Conflict (WFC) among nursing professionals. Through systematic synthesis of contemporary literature, authors propose a multidirectional model wherein these occupational stressors interact synergistically to compromise nurses’ Quality of Life (QoL) and professional sustainability. WRMSDs, prevalent due to physical demands including patient mobilisation and prolonged standing, correlate significantly with sleep quality metrics, creating bidirectional pathways in which pain disrupts sleep and inadequate sleep lowers pain thresholds. WFC, exacerbated by irregular scheduling and emotional labour requirements, is significantly associated with both sleep disturbance and musculoskeletal symptoms. These interconnected factors collectively impact physical functioning, psychological wellbeing, and social relationships through multiple pathways. The review suggests that interventional strategies targeting these interconnected domains simultaneously may yield superior outcomes compared with traditional integrated approaches. This integrated understanding provides healthcare organisations with opportunities to develop comprehensive wellbeing programmes addressing physical, psychological, and social determinants of occupational health, ultimately improving the nursing workforce sustainability and care quality.