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Perfectionism Contributes to Sleep-Wake State Discrepancy: The Mediating Role of Pre-Sleep Arousal
Susie Y Oh1,2, Christian L Nicholas1, Lisa J Phillips1
1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Brain Sciences
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Perfectionism, particularly concern over mistakes, is linked to a greater discrepancy between perceived and actual sleep duration. Pre-sleep arousal may mediate this relationship, highlighting perfectionism as a factor in sleep-wake state discrepancy.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Sleep-wake state discrepancy, a gap between subjective and objective sleep, is common in insomnia.
- Perfectionism is linked to insomnia, but its role in sleep-wake state discrepancy is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between perfectionism and sleep-wake state discrepancy.
- To explore the mediating roles of dysfunctional sleep beliefs and pre-sleep arousal.
Main Methods:
- Sixty adults (38% with insomnia symptoms) completed questionnaires and wore actigraphy for 14 days.
- Sleep-wake state discrepancy was calculated from actigraphy and sleep diaries.
- Perfectionism, dysfunctional sleep beliefs, and pre-sleep arousal were assessed using validated scales.
Main Results:
- Higher perfectionism correlated with greater sleep-wake state discrepancy.
- Specific perfectionistic traits (Concern over Mistakes, Doubts about Actions) linked to sleep onset latency discrepancy.
- Pre-sleep arousal, particularly cognitive arousal, mediated the link between perfectionism and sleep onset latency discrepancy.
Conclusions:
- Perfectionism, especially concern over mistakes, contributes to inaccurate sleep perception.
- Cognitive pre-sleep arousal mediates the relationship between perfectionism and sleep-wake state discrepancy.
- Perfectionism is a key cognitive-emotional factor in managing sleep-wake state discrepancy in insomnia.
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