The gendered effect of status-striving in sleep deprivation disclosure

Objectives

In this research, we conceptualize status-striving sleep deprivation disclosure as talking about one’s lack of sleep with the intention of enhancing one’s image. We propose that workers may disclose discretionary information about their sleep deprivation to highlight their potential contributions to the group because of the personal costs of sleep deprivation (e.g., physiological and psychological impediments), which in turn, predicts higher status conferral. We further propose that perceptions of status-striving sleep deprivation disclosure are influenced by gender stereotypes.

Methods

To test our theory, we designed three studies: an experimental study (study 1), a two-wave panel multisource field study (study 2), and another experimental study (study 3).

Results

The results showed that status-striving sleep deprivation disclosure predicted status conferral, and this indirect effect was explained by perceptions of strength for men. We also found support that when team performance ambiguity is lower, which meant that members’ contributions are more well-known within the group, the indirect effect was explained by perceptions of self-sacrifice for women.

Conclusion

People talk about sleep deprivation in their workplaces and can gain status for having done so. For men, status-striving sleep deprivation disclosure enhances their status by enhancing others’ perception of their strength. For women, status-striving sleep deprivation disclosure enhances their status by enhancing others’ perception of their self-sacrifice, but only under conditions of low team performance ambiguity.