Examining sleep health and its associations with technology use among older adults in Sweden: insights from a...

Exploring the association between technology use and sleep health in older adults is important as digital engagement becomes integrated into society.

This study aimed to examine sleep health and its association with technology use in a population-based cohort of 60 years and older.

This cross-sectional, population-based study (2023) included 436 older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, Blekinge (SNAC-B) population. These participants were sent questionnaires about their sleep, internet usage, Digital Social Participation (DSP), Technology Anxiety (TA), Technology Enthusiasm (TE), and use of information and communication technology. We used a multidimensional instrument, SATED, to measure sleep health. In this study, we conducted statistical analyses using the chi2 test, T-test, Pearson correlation, and backward linear and logistic regression.

Our study found that older adults (60 years+) have a mean sleep health score of 7.40 (SD = 2.03). TE ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) and DSP ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) were positively associated with better sleep health, while TA ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) was negatively associated. Frequent internet users(M = 7.6) and engaging with screens before bedtime (M = 7.7) had higher sleep health scores compared to non-frequent users (M = 6.90, [Formula: see text]) and none or seldom engagement with screens before bedtime (M = 7.10, [Formula: see text]) respectively. Linear regression showed TE positively associated (β = 0.241, [Formula: see text]) while TA negatively associated (β = -0.220, [Formula: see text]) with sleep health. DSP was found to be a predictor of better satisfaction (OR: 1.32, [Formula: see text]), efficiency (OR: 1.16, [Formula: see text]), and duration of sleep (OR:1.16, [Formula: see text]). Lower TA predicted better satisfaction (OR: 0.81, [Formula: see text]), timing (OR: 0.74, [Formula: see text]), and efficiency (OR:0.78, [Formula: see text]) of sleep. Older adults who use technology one hour before sleep have better sleep timing (OR: 3.003, [Formula: see text]), while those who do use mobile phones with a screen during the awake period after sleep onset have poor sleep timing (OR:0.016, [Formula: see text]).

DSP and TE support better sleep health, while TA negatively impacts sleep satisfaction, timing, and efficiency. Encouraging positive digital engagement and minimizing technology-related stress may promote healthier sleep in older adults.