Impact of time poverty on sleep quality: an explanation based on the stress process model

Based on the stress process model, this study explores the impact of time poverty on sleep quality among Chinese adults, as well as its physiological and psychological mechanisms. Data from the “Online Survey on Sleep Status of Chinese Residents” conducted by the Center for Social Psychology, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2023 were adopted, with 6255 adults as the research subjects. Through a chain mediation analysis, this study examined the direct effect of time poverty on sleep quality as well as the underlying mediating pathways. The empirical tests were divided into three steps: First, examed the chain mediating effects of cognitive evaluation and physical health status between time poverty and sleep quality. Second, examined the chain mediating effects of cognitive evaluation and depression in the relationship between time poverty and sleep quality. Finally, tested the chain mediating effects of cognitive evaluation and anxiety between time poverty and sleep quality. The results show that: 1. Time poverty has a significant negative impact on sleep quality (β = −0.155, p < 0.001). 2. The chain mediating effect of cognitive evaluation and physical health status is significant, with the proportion of the chain indirect effect being 15.50%. 3. The chain mediating effects of cognitive evaluation and depression/anxiety are significant, with the proportions of the chain indirect effects being 11.43% and 12.38%, respectively. 4. In the model, compared with depression (β = −0.159, p < 0.001) or anxiety (β = −0.163, p < 0.001), physical health status (β = 0.335, p < 0.001) has a greater impact on sleep quality. In conclusion, Time poverty can not only directly lead to poor sleep quality, but also indirectly affect sleep quality through independent or chain mediation pathways involving cognitive evaluation, physical health status, or depression/anxiety. This study provides a theoretical basis for individual time management interventions and the formulation of organizational health policies.