LONELY NIGHTS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONELINESS AND RESTLESS SLEEP IN OLDER AMERICANS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffin, S; Baylor, A; Rybarczyk, B; Dzierzewski, J
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 279
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Loneliness is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality, yet the mechanics behind this relationship remain unclear. One proposed mechanism is through sleep disturbance: there is evidence that lonely persons experience lower quality sleep. However, research thus far has been limited to samples that do not represent the United States. We aimed to examine the association between loneliness and restless sleep in a large, nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults over the age of 50 living in the United States. Weighted logistic regressions were conducted on data from the Health and Retirement Study (n=7, 109; 2006 wave); measures included the Hughes Loneliness Scale and the CES-D sleep item. Higher levels of loneliness were associated with greater risk for restless sleep, odds ratio: 2.044, 95% CI: 1.806–2.313. This association was attenuated but remained when controlling for age, gender, race, and depressive symptoms, odds ratio: 1.400, 95% CI: 1.194–1.643. This is the first study to our knowledge establishing the association between loneliness and restless sleep in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Moreover, one of the first studies to examine the association between loneliness and sleep disturbance while controlling for potentially confounding factors. This research provides initial support for sleep disturbance as a mechanism through which loneliness degrades health and that this association is not solely attributable to depression. However, further work is necessary to determine whether loneliness is an important causal factor in sleep disturbance and subsequent health consequences.