Abstract
We examined whether whole day workload predicts strain (e.g. stress, fatigue, impaired cognition) experienced on the next day, and/or whether strain predicts next-day workload. Data were analysed (using dynamic structural equation models) from 196 adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who completed two weeks of 5 to 6 daily ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys. Workload was assessed with a version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) adapted for the whole day context. Higher overall workload during the day predicted a shorter sleep duration that night, as well as increased fatigue and slower perceptual speed the next day. In turn, increased stress, fatigue, and shorter sleep duration on one day predicted a higher perceived workload the following day. Among adults with T1D, strain and workload appear to reinforce each other across days, suggesting a potential feedback loop that may escalate if recovery is insufficient.