A Multimethod Examination of the Effect of Insomnia Symptoms on Anxious Responding to a Social Stressor. Issue 3 (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Short, Nicole A.; Schmidt, Norman B.
• Is Part Of: Behavior therapy. Volume 49:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 323
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: insomnia -- anxiety -- sleep; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.8914205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7894

Abstract

Abstract: A growing number of studies identify insomnia symptoms as a potential risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders. However, little research has examined potential mechanisms through which insomnia could confer increased risk for anxiety. A separate line of literature suggests sleep is necessary for adaptive emotional and behavioral responding to stressors, a potential mechanism linking insomnia symptoms to anxiety risk. To test whether insomnia symptoms affect emotional and behavioral responding to an anxiety-relevant stressor, the current study recruited a sample of 99 undergraduates with varying levels of insomnia symptoms. Participants completed self-report and psychophysiological measures before, during, and after an impromptu speech task. Results indicated that, after covarying for negative affectivity, increased insomnia symptoms were significantly associated with elevated anticipatory anxiety and skin conductance response prior to the speech, and increased skin conductance response, emotion regulation difficulties, and safety aid use during the speech. Taken together, results provide evidence for the notion that insomnia symptoms are associated with maladaptive emotional and behavioral responding to an anxiety-relevant stressor. Highlights: Insomnia is associated with increased anticipatory anxiety prior to a stressor. Insomnia is associated with difficulties with emotion regulation during a stressor. Insomnia predicts the use of safety aids during a stressful task. Results held after covarying for negative affectivity.