Sleep and self-efficacy: The role of domain specificity in predicting sleep health

Although a number of empirically supported sleep interventions exist, sleep-related beliefs remain largely unexplored as clinical tools for enhancing existing interventions. The present study aimed to determine the differential associations between general and sleep self-efficacy with sleep health among a sample of adults PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 3284 adults (Mean Age = 43 years, 48.5% female, 6.4% other-identifying, 80.8% white).

Participants completed measures of self-efficacy (general and sleep self-efficacy) and sleep health as part of their involvement in a larger online study. General self-efficacy and sleep self-efficacy were measured with the General Self-Efficacy and Sleep Self-Efficacy scales respectively. Sleep was assessed with the RegUlarity, Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, Duration scale. A structural equation model was conducted to determine the associations between measures of general and sleep self-efficacy and sleep health, represented by 2-factors derived from the RegUlarity, Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, Duration measure.

The structural model evidenced adequate to good fit to the data and indicated that both general and sleep self-efficacies were directly associated with the latent sleep quality/quantity and circadian rhythm outcomes. Higher general and sleep self-efficacies were positively associated with sleep regularity, timing, and alertness. Higher sleep self-efficacy and lower general self-efficacy were associated with higher sleep satisfaction, duration, and efficiency.

Findings highlight the importance of domain specificity in the association between self-efficacy and sleep health outcomes. There is a need for more research into and application of interventions targeted toward increasing sleep self-efficacy as a potential avenue to improve sleep health.