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Association between loneliness, sleep behavior and quality: a propensity-score-matched case-control study
Anjiao Peng1, Yusha Tang1, Shixu He1
1Department of Neurology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
Sleep Medicine
|August 28, 2021
Summary
Loneliness negatively impacts sleep, increasing sleep latency and nocturnal awakenings. It also reduces subjective sleep quality and daytime function, though it doesn't affect sleep timing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Loneliness is a growing concern impacting mental and physical well-being.
- Understanding its effects on sleep is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between loneliness and sleep parameters.
- To analyze sleep behavior, quality, and daytime function in lonely individuals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized propensity score-matched samples from a Southwest China cohort study.
- Assessed sleep using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
- Compared sleep metrics between lonely and non-lonely participants.
Main Results:
- Loneliness was linked to significantly longer sleep latency (p < 0.001).
- Lonely individuals reported more nocturnal awakenings and poorer subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001).
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue were also higher in the lonely group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Loneliness adversely affects sleep quality and daytime function.
- No significant association was found between loneliness and sleep onset/offset timing.
- Findings highlight the detrimental impact of loneliness on sleep health.
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