Final answer:
Research shows that workers in the U.S. spend around 42-54 hours per week working and 43-62 hours sleeping, with sleep patterns changing over the lifespan. College students often experience sleep debt, negatively impacting their health and performance. Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining good occupational performance and well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Studies investigating the sleep duration of workers across various occupations indicate that work is a significant part of the day, often impacting their physical and psychological well-being. Industrial and organizational psychology pays attention to how these factors are interconnected. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in 2019, U.S. workers spent an average of about 42-54 hours per week working and about 43-62 hours sleeping. It is well-known that sleep patterns change over the lifespan, as indicated by a meta-analysis, which shows a decrease in sleep duration with age.
Regarding sleep and academic performance, research involving college students, a group known for sleep debt, suggests that insufficient sleep can result in negative academic and health outcomes. To explore this further, one can engage in a mini-activity by tracking sleep over two weeks to assess the relationship between sleep duration and daily performance. Experimental studies, such as measuring the effects of sleep deprivation on driving using professional drivers, offer insights into the detrimental effects of lack of sleep on task performance.
Conclusively, the study of sleep across various occupations and stages of life underlines the importance of adequate sleep for maintaining proficient occupational performance and overall health.