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Effects of perceived sleep quality on creative behavior via work engagement: the moderating role of gender

BMC Psychology volume 12, Article number: 491 (2024) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Sleep quality significantly impacts employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Using ego depletion theory, we examined the influence of sleep quality on work engagement and creative behavior, also investigating gender differences in these effects.

Methods

A multi-wave survey approach was employed with a six-week interval between waves for data collection. Participants were recruited online across two waves, totaling 322 employees from the United Kingdom and the United States.

Results

Regression analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, mediated by work engagement. Additionally, gender moderated both the direct and indirect effects of sleep quality.

Conclusion

The study found a positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, mediated by work engagement, with notable gender differences. Sleep quality had a stronger impact on work engagement for men than women, and a stronger indirect effect on creative behavior through work engagement. These findings add to the existing literature on the influence of sleep quality on creative behavior.

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Introduction

In the contemporary knowledge-based economy, creative behavior has emerged as a critical determinant of a firm’s competitive advantage, driving innovation and organizational success [1]. Recognizing its significance, scholars have extensively investigated the antecedents of creative behavior, focusing on various external factors. These include leadership styles [2], work environment [3], organizational culture [4], and team dynamics [5]. Additionally, researchers have explored individual-level factors such as personality traits [6], intrinsic motivation [7], and cognitive styles [8] as potential predictors of creative behavior. However, the inherent nature of creative behavior, which constantly challenges the status quo and introduces novel ideas, introduces an element of unpredictability into employees’ perceptions of the future [9]. This uncertainty, coupled with the cognitive demands of creative tasks, can pose significant challenges to employees and deplete their resources.

The resource-intensive nature of creative behavior has been well-documented in the literature [10, 11]. For instance, engaging in creative activities requires substantial cognitive resources for divergent thinking, problem-solving, and idea generation [12]. Moreover, the emotional resources needed to persist in the face of setbacks and ambiguity are also crucial for sustaining creative efforts [13]. Consequently, the availability and management of personal resources emerge as critical factors in facilitating and sustaining creative behavior in the workplace [14].

Among various personal resources, sleep quality is a vital factor that significantly influences an individual’s cognitive and emotional capacities [15]. As sleep is essential for the body’s recovery and energy maintenance [16], Baumeister et al. [17] proposed that sleep is crucial for replenishing depleted self-regulatory resources. Sleep quality also impacts brain recovery as sleep itself is a process of daily resource recovery [18]. Research suggests that good sleep quality is related to positive outcomes, whereas sleep deprivation is associated with decreased attention among employees [19].

While previous studies have explored the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior [20,21,22,23], the existing literature remains insufficient in fully elucidating this connection. Notably, there is a lack of research providing a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the link between sleep quality and creative behavior, and the underlying mechanisms of this relationship have not been adequately addressed [24]. Furthermore, the interplay between sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior remains largely unexplored, presenting a significant gap in our understanding of the complex dynamics underlying employee creativity.

To address these research gaps, the present study aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior by employing ego depletion theory as a theoretical framework [25]. This theory posits that self-regulatory resources are finite and can be depleted, thereby affecting subsequent cognitive and behavioral outcomes [26]. By applying this theoretical lens, we can better explain how sleep quality, as a restorative process, may influence an individual’s capacity for creative behavior. Furthermore, this study proposes to investigate the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior. Work engagement, characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption [27], may serve as a crucial mechanism through which sleep quality impacts creative performance.

Additionally, we aim to examine the moderating effect of gender on these relationships. Previous research has suggested potential gender differences in sleep patterns, work engagement, and creative processes [28]. Ołpińska-Lischka et al. [29] found that men were more sensitive to sleep deprivation than women, and women were less affected by sleep quality. Therefore, we speculate that gender plays a moderating role in the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement, such that poor sleep quality among men results in greater resource depletion at work than among women. By incorporating gender as a moderator, our study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the relationships between sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior may vary across genders.

To summarize, this study aims to apply ego depletion theory to examine the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, considering the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of gender. By addressing these research objectives, our study contributes to the existing literature in several ways. First, it provides a robust theoretical foundation for understanding the link between sleep quality and creative behavior, addressing a significant gap in current research. Second, by exploring the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating effect of gender, we offer insights into the complex mechanisms underlying this relationship. Lastly, our findings have the potential to inform organizational practices aimed at fostering employee creativity and well-being through improved sleep quality and enhanced work engagement, while considering potential gender differences.

Theoretical background and hypotheses

Sleep quality and creative behavior

Sleep quality is defined as individuals’ satisfaction with their overall sleep experience, encompassing factors such as ease of falling asleep, sleep initiation, maintenance, duration, and mental state upon waking up [30]. Prior research has shown that high sleep quality facilitates the replenishment of personal resources, enabling individuals to more effectively meet the cognitive, emotional, and physical demands of their work [31]. For instance, well-rested employees with restored attentional resources are better equipped to concentrate on complex tasks, generate novel ideas, and exhibit cognitive flexibility, all of which are crucial for creative thinking and problem-solving [24].

Creative behavior is defined as the process of generating original and innovative ideas that could be useful [32, 33]. Previous studies have found that creative behavior is influenced by individual characteristics and environmental factors [34]. Notably, prior research has emphasized the critical importance of personal resources, such as knowledge, skills, and experiences [30], in enabling and facilitating creative behavior.

Ego depletion theory provides a theoretical rationale for the relationship between an individual’s sleep quality and creative behavior. According to ego depletion theory [25], individuals must expend limited self-regulatory resources to engage in volitional activities. The greater the availability of resources, the higher the likelihood of successfully carrying out willful actions. Volitional activity involves temporarily depleting resources, which can be replenished after adequate rest. Lack of sleep leads to a failure in the timely recovery of individual resources and increases individual ego depletion, and high-quality sleep is regarded as a key way to restore individual resources [25]. When individuals get adequate and high-quality sleep, their resources are replenished, thus reducing ego depletion [35]. This allows for better concentration, novel idea generation, and cognitive flexibility when performing creative thinking activities. In contrast, individuals with poor sleep quality are more prone to problems such as inattention due to inadequate resources [19], which inhibits their creative behavior.

Previous research has found that sleep quality influences an individual’s creative behavior. For example, researchers have found that good sleep quality improves memory consolidation and cognitive functioning, thereby enhancing performance at work [36]. In contrast, poor sleep quality is associated with heightened anxiety and stress levels [37], which can deplete cognitive resources and hinder individuals’ creative behavior [28]. Prior studies further suggest that good sleep quality provides important self-regulatory resources for employees to effectively engage in creative processes, such as defocused attention, cognitive flexibility, and divergent thinking [20,21,22,23]. Considering the empirical evidence highlighting the significant role of sleep quality in shaping creative behavior, we propose the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 1

Perceived sleep quality is positively related to creative behavior.

The mediating role of work engagement

Schaufeli and Bakker [38] defined work engagement as a positive, fulfilling state of mind associated with work characterized by energy, dedication, and absorption. In a similar vein, Biggs et al. [39] defined work engagement as a positive state referring to an individual’s massive energy input and psychological attachment to the performance of work-related tasks. Previous research has identified job resources (e.g., autonomy, feedback) and personal resources (e.g., self-efficacy, optimism) as key antecedents of work engagement [14]. Furthermore, work engagement has been linked to positive outcomes such as high job performance, low turnover intentions, and enhanced well-being [40].

The relationship between sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior can be elucidated through the lens of ego depletion theory. This theory posits that the depletion of self-regulatory resources compromises the attention and energy required for subsequent activities [41]. Specifically, it suggests that self-regulation relies on finite resources that can be exhausted through use, leading to consequential effects on self-control and cognitive function [42]. Notably, work engagement demands substantial cognitive and emotional resources [43].

High sleep quality is essential for restoring resources expended on daytime activities and improving attention, energy, and cognitive function—factors that are crucial for maintaining or enhancing work engagement. Conversely, poor sleep quality can impede the full recovery of these resources, subsequently affecting self-control and cognitive abilities, reducing attention and energy levels, and thus diminishing work engagement.

Empirical evidence supports this theoretical framework. Studies have demonstrated that poor sleep impairs post-work recovery [44], and insufficient sleep has been identified as a key factor contributing to the decline of work engagement [45]. Conversely, good sleep quality and short breaks have been shown to enhance employees’ work engagement [45]. Moreover, sleep quality has been recognized as vital to employees’ mental health and work engagement [46].

Drawing on ego depletion theory, we also posit that work engagement plays a crucial role in fostering creative behavior. Employees with high work engagement demonstrate strong work attachment [47], which is conducive to creativity. Work engagement, characterized by high levels of energy, dedication, and absorption, represents a state of optimal resource utilization that can facilitate creative endeavors. This relationship can be explained by the availability of cognitive and emotional resources that engaged employees can invest in creative problem-solving and idea generation. Indeed, previous studies have consistently found a positive relationship between work engagement and employees’ creativity [48, 49].

These findings align with Bakker and Demerouti’s [14] conceptualization of work engagement as a motivational process that links work-related resources to positive work outcomes. In this context, work engagement can be viewed as the mechanism through which available resources are channeled into creative behavior. The mediating role of work engagement between personal resources and organizational outcomes has been both theoretically proposed and empirically tested [50, 51].

Extending this line of research, we propose that work engagement mediates the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior. Specifically, good sleep quality increases work engagement by replenishing depleted resources, and this increased work engagement, in turn, enhances creative behavior by providing the necessary resources for creative processes. Therefore, we propose the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 2

Work engagement mediates the relationship between perceived sleep quality and creative behavior.

The moderating role of gender

Stevens-Smith [52] defined gender as the state of being biologically or environmentally male or female, and Doughty and Leddick [53] defined the construct as the psychological and social characteristics associated with being male or female. Gender is usually determined by actual biological differences rather than environmental factors. This study proposes that gender moderates the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement, drawing on ego depletion theory as a theoretical framework. Specifically, we hypothesize that the effect of sleep quality on work engagement will be stronger for men than for women.

Hagger et al. [26] defined ego depletion as the exhaustion of an individual’s self-control ability following actions that require self-control resources. Research has consistently shown that men typically exhibit lower self-control than women [54, 55]. Importantly, when sleep-deprived, men expend more resources on self-control compared to women, leading to more severe ego depletion [56]. Furthermore, Rothbart and Rueda [57] found that women are more effective in resource management than men and are adept at replenishing exhausted resources. Tyler and Burns [58] noted that women are better at utilizing social support, which can help mitigate resource depletion and maintain job engagement. From the perspective of ego depletion theory, these findings suggest that women have a stronger ability to protect and recover resources.

Consequently, we posit that sleep quality may have a differential impact on work engagement for men and women. Specifically, due to men’s greater susceptibility to ego depletion and their less effective resource management, we hypothesize that the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement will be stronger for men than for women. Poor sleep quality is likely to deplete self-control resources more severely in men, potentially leading to a more pronounced decrease in work engagement. Conversely, women’s superior resource management and recovery abilities may buffer the negative effects of poor sleep quality on their work engagement. This gender-based difference in resource depletion and recovery mechanisms provides a theoretical basis for expecting gender to moderate the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement.

Empirical evidence further supports this expectation. Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that men and women exhibit differential sensitivities to sleep quality. Ołpińska-Lischka et al. [29] found that men were more susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation than women. Similarly, Romdhani et al. [59] observed that sleep deprivation had a more pronounced impact on men compared to women, and that recovery sleep was less restorative for men. This gender difference extends to younger populations as well, with extant research confirming that girls are better able to cope with sleep deprivation than boys [60].

Due to this heightened sensitivity, men may require higher sleep quality to compensate for resource loss and subsequently improve work engagement. In contrast, women appear to be more resilient to the negative effects of poor sleep quality. This differential impact of sleep quality on resource depletion and recovery between genders may translate into varying effects on work engagement. Based on the theoretical arguments and empirical evidence presented, we propose the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 3

Gender moderates the relationship between perceived sleep quality and work engagement such that the relationship is stronger for men than for women.

The moderated mediation role of gender

As previously discussed, men demonstrate greater sensitivity to sleep quality compared to women. Consequently, poor sleep quality appears to have a less significant impact on women’s resource availability. During the resource consumption process involved in creative activities, resource depletion is likely to have a diminished effect on women’s work engagement and creative behavior. This gender difference in sensitivity to sleep quality [17] suggests that the indirect effect of sleep quality on creative behavior through work engagement may vary between men and women.

Specifically, we hypothesize that for men, poor sleep quality will negatively influence their work engagement, which will subsequently impair their creative behavior. In contrast, for women, we anticipate that poor sleep quality will have a weaker or non-significant effect on both work engagement and creative behavior. This differential impact implies a moderated mediation effect, where gender moderates the indirect relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior via work engagement. Based on these theoretical arguments and empirical precedents, we propose the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 4

Gender moderates the indirect relationship between perceived sleep quality and creative behavior via work engagement such that the indirect relationship is stronger for men than for women.

Figure 1 presents the hypothesized research model.

Fig. 1
figure 1

The theoretical research model

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Methods

Sample and procedure

We used online panel platforms to recruit full-time employees from the UK and US. These platforms are considered as reliable as conventional field samples [61] and are designed for academic use [62], making them suitable for research using academic panels [63]. To protect participants’ rights, safety, and well-being, we informed them of the study purpose and data collection procedure before the study began and obtained informed consent from each participant.

We employed a multi-wave approach with embedded attention checks in each wave [64, 65] for data collection to reduce common method bias (CMB) [66]. While there is no clear consensus on the optimal time interval for time-lagged studies [66], previous research has employed interval periods ranging from a couple of weeks [50, 67] to several months. Although no prior study has utilized a time-lagged design with the same research model as ours, we considered similar approaches in previous time-lagged studies [68] and collected data in waves separated by six weeks.

In the first wave, participants assessed their sleep quality, while in the second wave, they reported their work engagement and creative behavior. The first wave generated 422 responses, with 376 remaining after excluding incomplete responses. In the second wave, questionnaires were sent to the 376 qualified respondents from the first wave, yielding 326 responses. After excluding incomplete surveys from the second wave, 322 completed questionnaires remained.

We employed G*Power version 3.1.9.7 [69] to ascertain the optimal sample size for our research. Considering a medium effect size of 0.15 in regression analysis with a power of 0.95 and a significance level of 0.05 [70], our sample size satisfies the calculated minimum requirement determined by the software. Additionally, accounting for potential non-response rates, our survey sample surpasses the specified minimum sample size.

The sample comprised 44.4% male, and 78.26% of the respondents were from the UK. Regarding education, 15.83% had a high school diploma, 19.25% had a college diploma, 43.18% had a bachelor’s degree, 17.39% had a master’s degree, and 4.35% had a doctorate. The average age was 38.92 years (SD = 9.93), and the mean organizational tenure was 7.86 years (SD = 6.99).

Measures

Respondents rated the survey items on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), except for the demographic information.

Perceived sleep quality. We measured perceived sleep quality with a two-item scale [71]; an example item is “I evaluate my sleep quality very well generally.” Cronbach’s alpha was 0.92.

Work engagement. We used a three-item scale developed by [72] to measure employees’ work engagement; an example item is “I am enthusiastic about my job.” Cronbach’s alpha was 0.89.

Creative behavior. For creative behavior, we adopted [73] three-item self-report scale; an example item is “I generate creative ideas at work.” Cronbach’s alpha was 0.94.

Gender. Gender was a dichotomous variable coded as 0 for female and 1 for male.

Control variables. We included age, education, organizational tenure, and nationality as control variables since these variables might influence employees’ work engagement and creative behavior [34]. Organization tenure and age were measured in years, and nationality was a dichotomous variable coded as 0 for the United Kingdom and 1 for the United States. There were six levels of education: elementary school, high school, college diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree.

Common method bias check

To mitigate common method bias, we employed a multi-wave approach for data collection. However, because all variables were based on responses from the same participants, there was the possibility of false internal consistency, which could have led to misleading results [74]. To assess the effects of common method variance, we used Harman’s single factor test [66]. After loading all items of the measured construct into the exploratory factor analysis, we found that no single factor could explain more than 50% of the variance [75]. We determined that there was minimal risk of CMB in our results.

Analytical method

In this study, we analyzed all variables at the individual level using STATA 15.1. To test the distinctiveness of the variables, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and a chi-squared model comparison test. We then conducted a hierarchical multiple regression analysis to test our hypotheses. We used process model 7 to examine the indirect effect and conditional indirect effect of sleep quality on work engagement and creative behavior, applying bootstrapping [76].

Results

Descriptive statistics

The descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and correlations of the variables, are presented in Table 1. Sleep quality was positively correlated with work engagement (r = 0.26, p < 0.01) and creative behavior (r = 0.14, p < 0.05). Work engagement was positively correlated with creative behavior (r = 0.49, p < 0.01).

Table 1 Cronbach’s alpha, Means, Standard deviations, and correlations
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Validity and reliability

We conducted a series of CFAs to examine the validity of the three-factor models. The baseline model fit the data well (X² = 27.59; df = 17; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.04; SRMR = 0.03) and better than the alternative models (i.e., the one- and two-factor models). Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.89 to 0.92, showing good reliability.

Hypotheses tests

H1 predicted that sleep quality would be positively related to creative behavior. Table 2 shows that after controlling for age, education, tenure, and nationality, there was a significant positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior (b = 0.11; p < 0.05; Model 3). The analytical results supported H1.

Table 2 Hierarchical multiple regression results for Work Engagement and Creative Behavior
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H2 predicted that work engagement would mediate the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior. After bootstrapping with 10,000 samples, the coefficient was 0.11, and the 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence interval was (0.06, 0.17), which does not contain zero. Thus, the results supported H2.

H3 proposed that gender moderates the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement such that the relationship is stronger for men than for women. As shown in Table 2, the interaction term of sleep quality and gender was positively related to work engagement (b = 0.25; p < 0.01; Model 2). As shown in Fig. 2, the effect of sleep quality on work engagement was more pronounced for men than for women. Simple slope analysis revealed that the effect of sleep quality on work engagement was statistically significant for men (b = 0.37, SE = 0.07, p < 0.001) but not for women (b = 0.12, SE = 0.06, p = 0.07). Therefore, H3 was supported.

Fig. 2
figure 2

The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement

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H4 proposed that gender moderates the indirect effect of sleep quality on creative behavior through work engagement. As shown in Table 3, the bootstrapped resample results using process model 7 showed that gender moderated the indirect effect of sleep quality on creative behavior such that it was significant for men (estimate = 0.20, BootSE = 0.04; 95% CI = [0.12, 0.30]) but not for women (estimate = 0.05; BootSE = 0.03; 95% CI = [− 0.01, 0.13]). Moreover, the index of moderated mediation was also statistically significant (index = 0.12, BootSE = 0.05, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.22]). Thus, the results of the analysis supported H4.

Table 3 Results of the conditional Indirect effects
Full size table

Discussion

Summary of results

This study examines the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, particularly focusing on the mediating role of work engagement and the moderating effect of gender. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between sleep quality and creative behavior, with work engagement acting as a mediator. Furthermore, we observed that the influence of sleep quality on work engagement and its indirect effect on creative behavior were more pronounced in men than in women.

Theoretical contributions

First, this study contributes to the literature on sleep quality by elucidating its impact on creative behavior through the framework of ego depletion theory. Our findings corroborate previous research demonstrating a positive relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior [20,21,22,23, 30, 77]. However, we extend this literature by explicitly applying ego depletion theory to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we show that sleep quality is linked to the replenishment of employee resources, which subsequently influences creative behavior. This theoretical framing provides a more comprehensive understanding of the sleep quality-creativity relationship, addressing a gap in prior research that often lacked a robust theoretical foundation.

Second, we advance the work engagement literature by exploring its mediating role between sleep quality and creative behavior. In accordance with ego depletion theory, which posits that work engagement mediates the relationship between relevant resources and various outcomes [78], our study validates the mediating role of work engagement in the context of sleep quality and creativity. This finding not only supports previous research on work engagement as a mediator between job resources and positive work outcomes [50, 51], but also extends it by applying ego depletion theory to explain this mediational process. By doing so, we provide theoretical validation for the role of work engagement as a crucial mechanism through which sleep quality influences creative behavior.

Third, our study makes a significant contribution by examining the moderating effects of gender on the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement, as well as on the indirect effect of sleep quality on creative behavior through work engagement. Grounded in ego depletion theory, we discovered that gender moderates the effects of sleep quality on work engagement, consistent with previous findings [59, 79]. Specifically, our results indicate that the impact of sleep quality on resource recovery, and subsequently on work engagement, is stronger for men than for women. This finding not only supports extant studies suggesting that men are more sensitive to sleep quality than women, but also provides a theoretical explanation for this gender difference using ego depletion theory. This nuanced understanding of gender differences in the sleep quality-work engagement relationship offers valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners.

Finally, we broaden the applicability of ego depletion theory [17, 25, 41, 42, 80] by demonstrating its utility in explaining the complex relationships between sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior. Our study offers empirical support for the theory’s predictions, illustrating how sleep quality affects resource recovery, which in turn impacts work engagement and ultimately influences creative behavior. This application of ego depletion theory to the sleep-creativity domain represents a novel contribution to the literature and opens new avenues for future research.

In summary, by integrating ego depletion theory into the study of sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior, our research provides a more comprehensive and theoretically grounded understanding of these relationships. Additionally, our examination of gender as a moderator provides nuanced insights into how individual differences can affect these processes. These contributions not only advance our theoretical knowledge but also hold important practical implications for managing employee creativity and well-being.

Managerial implications

Given the significant impact of sleep quality on employees’ creative behavior, managers should prioritize addressing their employees’ sleep quality, including reducing overtime hours that may interfere with sleep. The recent proliferation of information and communication technologies has led to an increase in work-related communications outside of traditional working hours. This practice often results in employees receiving work-related messages from superiors via social media during non-work hours, creating expectations of availability that can disrupt sleep patterns. Therefore, managers should implement policies to limit work-related communication after working hours, thereby ensuring employees can attain adequate and restful sleep.

While our study demonstrates the mediating effect of work engagement in the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, it is crucial to recognize that work engagement can be influenced by factors beyond sleep quality. Organizations and managers should, therefore, develop comprehensive strategies to enhance work engagement among their members, complementing efforts to improve sleep quality. Previous research has highlighted the significant impact of organizational climate and leadership on work engagement [81]. Consequently, organizational managers should focus on fostering a fair and supportive organizational climate and exhibiting effective leadership to promote enhanced work engagement among their members. This holistic approach can simultaneously address both sleep quality and work engagement.

Considering the positive effects of good sleep, organizations may benefit from implementing sleep awareness training programs for employees. Such programs have been shown to effectively improve employee sleep quality [82]. Additionally, short-term psychotherapy interventions can positively affect sleep patterns [83]. Managers should also explore ways to streamline workflow processes to increase efficiency, thereby helping employees improve their work-life balance and career development [84]. Where feasible, implementing flexible work schedules tailored to individual needs [85] and providing nap rooms or designated nap times can help employees rejuvenate and better manage work demands. These measures can be particularly beneficial for male employees, who our study found to be more sensitive to sleep quality variations, helping them maintain energy and physical strength for work tasks.

Furthermore, organizations should consider integrating sleep quality metrics into their wellness programs and performance management systems. This integration can help create a culture that values and promotes good sleep habits, potentially leading to increased creativity and productivity. By acknowledging the role of sleep in employee performance, organizations can develop more comprehensive and effective strategies for talent management and organizational development.

Limitations and future studies

First, we utilized self-reported measures for our study variables. Although Chan [86] demonstrated that self-reporting does not significantly affect data correlation, and we implemented a six-week time lag between data collection waves to mitigate CMB, potential CMB may still exist due to the simultaneous measurement of work engagement and creative behavior. This limitation may constrain our ability to establish causality. Future studies could employ a multi-source and longitudinal approach to address this issue.

Second, our sample was limited to participants from the UK and US to ensure representation of native English speakers, which restricts the generalizability of our findings to other countries. Cultural and social contexts can influence gender differences. For instance, societies emphasizing gender equality and women’s empowerment may exhibit more pronounced gender differences in the impact of sleep quality on work engagement. Conversely, societies with prevalent traditional gender roles might exacerbate the impact of resource depletion on women, potentially diminishing observed gender differences. Future research could conduct cross-cultural comparisons to investigate country-specific variations in gender differences.

Third, this study explored the between-person effects of sleep quality on work engagement and creative behavior. However, sleep quality and its corresponding creative behavior may fluctuate on a daily basis. Notably, work engagement is highly susceptible to daily variations [87]. Therefore, future research employing longitudinal study designs could examine both between-person and within-person effects, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships among these variables.

Fourth, our study focused solely on individual-level variables, neglecting team-level or multilevel factors. Investigating the effects of sleep quality on work engagement and creative behavior at multiple levels could provide valuable insights. Future researchers could explore team-level and multilevel effects to gain a more holistic understanding of these relationships.

Fifth, this study exclusively focused on sleep quality, omitting consideration of sleep quantity. While numerous previous studies have investigated both sleep quantity and quality, our research concentrated solely on the qualitative aspect. Although sleep quality implicitly encompasses some aspects of sleep quantity, future research would benefit from incorporating both dimensions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of sleep’s effects on work-related outcomes.

Lastly, previous research has identified other factors, such as psychological safety, that can influence work engagement and employee creativity [74]. Future studies should expand beyond conventional demographic control variables to include factors that may affect variations in work engagement and creative behavior. This approach would provide a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay among these variables. Addressing these limitations in future research will contribute to a more comprehensive and robust understanding of the relationships among sleep quality, work engagement, and creative behavior, while also accounting for potential moderating factors such as gender and cultural context.

Conclusion

This study explored the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior, investigating the mediating effect of work engagement and the moderating effect of gender. The theoretical foundation incorporated the ego depletion theory, which helped elucidate how high sleep quality can replenish personal resources and enhance creative behavior through the mediating effect of work engagement. Moreover, we examined the moderating role of gender in the relationship between sleep quality and work engagement, as well as in the indirect effect of sleep quality on creative behavior via work engagement. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on sleep quality, creative behavior, and work engagement by elucidating the mechanism through which sleep quality influences creative behavior. Furthermore, this study provides a clearer theoretical foundation by explaining the relationship between sleep quality and creative behavior through the lens of ego depletion theory.

Data availability

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation, to any qualified researcher.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Gachon University research fund of 2023 (GCU-202304580001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wannan Medical College, No.22, Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, 241002, China

    Wenxian Wang

  2. College of Business, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnamdaero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam city, 13120, Republic of Korea

    Wonho Jeung, Seung-Wan Kang & Hee Jin Kim

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W.W. wrote the article’s initial draft. W.J. edited the original draft after making suggestions for improvements. The study was overseen by S.-W.K., who also turned the rough text into a publishable piece. H.J.K. contributed theoretical insights based on her proficiency in the area.

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Correspondence to Seung-Wan Kang or Hee Jin Kim.

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Wang, W., Jeung, W., Kang, SW. et al. Effects of perceived sleep quality on creative behavior via work engagement: the moderating role of gender. BMC Psychol 12, 491 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01971-8

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BMC Psychology

ISSN: 2050-7283

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