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Sleep Problems and Psychological Well-Being: Baseline Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Rebecca Rodrigues1, Kathryn Nicholson1, Giuseppe Guaiana1,2
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Canadian Journal on Aging = La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement
|November 21, 2022
Summary
Sleep problems like short sleep duration and insomnia are linked to poorer mental health in Canadian adults. These issues, including daytime impairment, affect life satisfaction and psychological distress, particularly in males.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- International research indicates a link between sleep disturbances and diminished psychological well-being.
- Data specific to the Canadian population regarding this association remain limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between various sleep problems and psychological well-being indicators in a large Canadian cohort.
- To identify demographic factors, such as sex and age, that may modify these associations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-sectional baseline data from 30,097 community-dwelling adults (aged 45-85) participating in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
- Assessed sleep problems including short sleep duration, sleep dissatisfaction, insomnia symptoms, and daytime impairment.
- Measured psychological well-being through life satisfaction, psychological distress, and self-reported mental health.
Main Results:
- Short sleep duration, sleep dissatisfaction, insomnia symptoms, and daytime impairment were significantly associated with higher rates of dissatisfaction with life, psychological distress, and poor mental health.
- Long sleep duration was linked to increased psychological distress and poor mental health, but not life dissatisfaction.
- Associations between sleep problems and psychological distress were more pronounced in males (11-18% stronger).
- With increasing age, the link between daytime impairment and life dissatisfaction grew, while the association between insomnia and poor mental health diminished.
Conclusions:
- Sleep problems are prevalent and significantly associated with adverse psychological outcomes in middle-aged and older Canadian adults.
- These findings highlight the need to address sleep issues as a critical public health concern within Canada.
- Sex and age influence the relationship between sleep disturbances and mental health, suggesting tailored interventions may be necessary.
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