Abstract
Purpose
Previous research has demonstrated that self‐compassion improved sleep in geriatric samples. However, this may be due to an uncontrolled influence from self‐focus, or interaction between self‐compassion and self‐focus. This study examines whether these findings apply to psychiatric nurses.
Design and Methods
Demographics, sleep disturbances, self‐compassion, and self‐focus of 404 psychiatric nurses were assessed. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to predict sleep disturbances.
Findings
Analyzes revealed that working more night shifts, less self‐compassion, and rumination predicted worse sleep quality; however, the effect of self‐compassion was not significant when controlling for self‐focus.
Practice Implications
An association between sleep quality and self‐compassion was observed, but not when controlling for self‐focus. Rumination may have an impact on sleep, and reducing it may improve sleep in psychiatric nurses.