Examining the Associations Between Objectively Measured Sleep Quality and Multidimensional Mental Health in Older...

This study investigated the associations between objective sleep quality parameters and multidimensional mental health, including depression and quality of life (QoL), in community-dwelling older adults.

The data came from an ongoing cross-sectional study involving older adults aged ≥60, residing in an urban city. Nighttime sleep metrics were derived from wrist-worn actigraphy (ActiGraph-GT9X). Domain-specific QoL and depression were assessed using the standardized WHO-QoL-BREF and CES-D scales, respectively. Correlation and regression analyses examined the associations of interest, and subgroup analyses explored sex-specific patterns.

Among 47 participants [mean age = 70.3 ± 6.1 years; female = 53.2%], most participants had short total sleep time (TST; mean = 6.8 h). Significant associations were observed between sleep quality and mental health (r_s = .4), with TST serving as a significant predictor of the QoL-Physical [β (95% CI) = 0.005 (0.0001-0.011), p = .042] and QoL-Social [β (95% CI) = 0.005 (0.0001, 0.010), p = .039]. Associations between TST and the QoL-Psychological [β (95% CI) = 0.008 (0.0001-0.017), p = .047] and QoL-Social [β (95% CI) = 0.011 (0.001-0.021), p = .036] were significant only in males.

Actigraphy-measured sleep quality, particularly increased TST, was associated with better domain-specific mental health in older adults, with patterns differing by sex.

These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to promote adequate sleep and well-being in the older population.