Disaster Exposure and Insomnia Severity During 7⋅20 Flood in Henan: The Moderated Mediation Model

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Environmental Health
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Natural disasters pose significant risks to mental health.
• Insomnia is a common consequence of traumatic events.
• Understanding psychological mediators and moderators is crucial for post-disaster mental health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between natural disaster exposure and insomnia severity.
• To examine the mediating role of catastrophizing in this association.
• To explore the moderating effects of Dark Triad personality traits.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1526 participants was conducted within two weeks after a major flood in Henan, China.
• Data on natural disaster exposure, insomnia severity, catastrophizing, and the Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) were collected.
• Statistical analyses were performed to test mediation and moderation models.

Main Results:

• Natural disaster exposure was significantly positively associated with insomnia severity.
• Catastrophizing partially mediated the relationship between disaster exposure and insomnia.
• Dark Triad traits moderated the mediation model: narcissism exacerbated the effects, while Machiavellianism and psychopathy weakened them.

Conclusions:

• Natural disaster exposure is a risk factor for insomnia, with catastrophizing playing a partial mediating role.
• Dark Triad traits, particularly narcissism, can intensify the negative impact of disasters on sleep.
• Interventions targeting catastrophizing and dark personality traits may help mitigate sleep disturbances post-disaster.