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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Capturing Infant-Caregiver Interactions Through Synchronized Multimodal Data Collection
Published on: May 31, 2024
Tossing and Turning Together: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis of Sleep Interdependence Among Care Dyads
Dexia Kong1, Chihua Li2,3, Xiaoling Xiang4
1Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Objectives:
Care recipients and caregivers share similar stressors and living environments and may thus present concordance in health-related outcomes, yet their sleep interdependence remains understudied. This study examined sleep interdependence among care dyads.
Methods:
Longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving were analyzed, including 2,204 dyads (2015 baseline; 2017 follow-up). Sleep disruptions were assessed as trouble falling back asleep. Cross-lagged panel models examined concurrent/longitudinal sleep interdependence; multiple group analyses ascertained whether the relationships differed by caregiving contexts (dementia/non-dementia) and living arrangements (co-residing/living apart).
Results:
A stable actor effect emerged: Care recipients' and caregivers' sleep disruptions in 2015 predicted their own sleep disruptions in 2017. No cross-lagged partner effects were significant (p > .05). There was a significant synchronous partner effect in 2017 (β = 0.118, 95% CI = 0.048, 0.187). These relationships remained significant for dementia-care and co-residing dyads but not for non-dementia or living-apart care dyads.
Conclusions:
This first longitudinal dyadic study identified sleep interdependence among care dyads, highlighting the importance of early intervention to reduce sleep disruptions. Targeted support for dementia caregivers and co-residing dyads is critical.
Clinical Implications:
Sleep hygiene interventions should leverage the interconnectedness of sleep within caregiving relationships.
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