معرفی
John Axelsson is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, where he leads the Division for Sleep and Alertness Research at the Stress Research Institute. His work focuses on understanding how sleep and recovery interact with stress in the context of modern lifestyles, with the core hypothesis that stress only produces long-term effects when recovery processes are disturbed.
His research interests span multiple critical areas of sleep science:
- Sleep and recovery mechanisms related to stress
- Biological and cultural influences on sleep patterns
- Effects of 24-hour society on circadian rhythms
- Individual differences in vulnerability to sleep loss
- Sleep patterns in parents with young children
- Relationship between sleepiness and social behavior
- Sleep's role in immune function and recovery from illness
Analysis of Professor Axelsson's publication record reveals a cohesive research program examining how sleep affects cognitive function, social behavior, and physical health. His work demonstrates how sleep deprivation impacts executive function (particularly in those with ADHD traits), reduces social engagement, and affects relationship dynamics in parents. A consistent theme across his research is how modern lifestyle factors like shift work, artificial lighting, and parenting responsibilities disrupt natural sleep patterns with significant health consequences.
Professor Axelsson leads several ongoing research projects:
- Working hours, health and security - sustainable shift scheduling
- Too tired to know? - awareness of cognitive impairments from sleep loss
- Equality of sleep in parents with young children
- Vulnerability to sleep loss - individual differences in response to sleep deprivation
