American Research Journal of Nursing

Background: There is evidence that self – esteem is important for health. Especially, self – esteem is associated with better health in those with chronic conditions or disability. Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine, in a comprehensive way: (a) the association between insomnia and self-esteem, (b) the association between insomnia and marital status in nursing personnel in the island of Crete, Greece. Method: An investigation was carried out in the area of Crete between August 2017 and January 2018 in fourteen Health Centers, two Primary National Health Networks, four Emergency Department, eleven Intensive Care Units. The study involved 213 nurses. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and the Culture-free Self esteem Inventories had been used. Results: Prevalence of insomnia was 49.3% (from mild to very severe symptoms). Multivariate analyses showed that self-esteem was significantly associated with insomnia symptoms (p <0,002). Multivariate models also showed that insomnia-type symptoms were associated with marital status (p <0,026). Conclusions: In a large population of nursing personnel insomnia symptoms are prevalent and associated with self-esteem and marital status. Future studies should assess whether the strengthening of self- esteem improves the sleep problems in nursing personnel.