Subjective sleep inadequacy and self-rated health among homeless adults

To examine the association between subjective sleep inadequacy and self-rated health in a sample of 244 homeless adults.

Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations among 4 sleep inadequacy items (days of inadequate rest or sleep, hours of sleep, days unintentionally falling asleep during daytime, and snoring) and self-rated health in analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, education, lifetime homelessness, lifetime serious mental illness, and current depression.

Days of inadequate rest or sleep, fewer hours of sleep, and days unintentionally falling asleep were each significantly associated with higher odds of poor/fair self-rated health.

Because both inadequate sleep and poor self-rated health independently predict mortality, interventions targeting sleep quality among homeless adults are needed.