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Sleep quality and sleep duration are associated with charitable donations: Evidence from two population-based surveys
Allison E Nickel1, Michael K Scullin1
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
Sleep Medicine
|October 10, 2024
Summary
Better sleep quality and duration are linked to increased charitable giving. This suggests a connection between sleep health and prosocial behaviors like donating to charities.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sleep Science
- Sociology
Background:
- Sleep deprivation negatively impacts emotional regulation and prosocial behaviors.
- Previous research indicates altered mood and reduced empathy with insufficient sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sleep quality and duration and charitable donation behavior.
- To determine if better sleep correlates with increased willingness to donate to local charities and places of worship.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of two large, population-representative national surveys (BRS-5 and BRS-6).
- Utilized random address-based sampling for respondent selection.
- Assessed self-reported sleep quality, sleep duration, and charitable donation history.
Main Results:
- Individuals reporting better sleep quality and longer sleep duration were more likely to donate charitably.
- These associations remained statistically significant after controlling for demographic factors like age, gender, and income.
- Odds ratios for increased donation likelihood ranged from 1.07 to 1.45.
Conclusions:
- Improved sleep quality and duration are associated with a higher propensity for charitable giving.
- The findings suggest a potential link between sleep health and prosocial behaviors.
- Further experimental research is recommended to establish the directionality of this relationship.
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