scholarly journals A Correlational Analysis of the Relationships among Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety Sensitivity, Subjective Sleep Quality, and Insomnia Symptoms

Author(s):  
Marco Lauriola ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton ◽  
Daniela Tempesta ◽  
Pierpaolo Calanna ◽  
Valentina Socci ◽  
...  

In this study, we used structural equation modeling to investigate the interplay among Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU), Anxiety Sensitivity (AS), and sleep problems. Three hundred undergraduate students completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Inventory, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Insomnia Severity Index. 68% and 40% of the students reported poor sleep quality or sub-threshold insomnia problems, respectively. Depression and anxiety levels were above the cut-off for about one-fourth of the participants. Structural equation modeling revealed that IU was strongly associated with AS, in turn influencing both insomnia severity and sleep quality via depression and anxiety. Significant indirect effects revealed that an anxious pathway was more strongly associated with insomnia severity, while a depression pathway was more relevant for worsening the quality of sleep. We discussed the results in the frameworks of cognitive models of insomnia. Viewing AS and IU as antecedents of sleep problems and assigning to AS a pivotal role, our study suggested indications for clinical interventions on a population at risk for sleep disorders.

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A89-A89
Author(s):  
Linhao Zhang ◽  
Zehua Cui ◽  
Jeri Sasser ◽  
Assaf Oshri

Abstract Introduction Child maltreatment (CM) is a significant stressor that is associated with sleep problems in children and adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic introduces new psychosocial stressors, which may be particularly harmful to youth already experiencing stress in the home environment. Using multi-dimensional (threat vs deprivation) assessments of CM, the present study aimed to test whether COVID-19 related stress intensified the association between maltreatment (abuse vs neglect) and sleep problems among youth. Methods This study utilized data from a longitudinal sample of youth (N=126; Mage at T1=12.9) assessed between January 2019 and March 2020 (T1) and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020; T2). Latent factors for COVID-19 related stress included three questions asking about negative changes, uncertainty about the future, and stress-induced by disruptions. CM at T1 was measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Multidimensional aspects of CM included a threat factor (sum of Emotional, Physical, and Sexual Abuse) and a deprivation factor (sum of Emotional and Physical Neglect). Sleep-related problems at both T1 and T2 were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score. Structural equation modeling was conducted in Mplus 8.1 to test direct and interaction effects of CM and COVID-19 related stress on sleep problems at T2 while controlling for sleep problems at T1 and demographic covariates. Results Threat-related abuse was significantly associated with increased sleep problems at T2 (β =.43, p < .01) but neglect was not (β =.03, p = .85). Additionally, COVID-19 related stress significantly intensified the link between abuse and sleep problems (β =.14, p < .05) as well as between neglect and sleep problems (β =.43, p < .01) at T2. Among youth who experienced higher levels of CM, increased COVID-19 related stress exacerbated sleep problems. Conclusion These results bolster extant research on the negative impact CM bears on youth sleep health and indicates that COVID-19 stress may exacerbate sleep problems. Our findings inform future prevention and intervention efforts that aim to reduce sleep problems among youth who experience CM during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support (if any) NIH/NIDA K Grant 1K01DA045219-01


2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 761-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Lewis ◽  
Richard E. Zinbarg ◽  
Susan Mineka ◽  
Michelle G. Craske ◽  
Alyssa Epstein ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Tingzhong Yang ◽  
Daniel Hall ◽  
Guihua Jiao ◽  
Can Jiao

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic brings unprecedented uncertainty and stress. This study aimed to characterize sleep behaviors among Chinese residents during the early stage of the outbreak and to test the extent to which sleep quality was driven by COVID-19 uncertainty, intolerance of uncertainty, and perceived stress. Methods. A cross-sectional correlational survey was conducted online. A total of 2,534 Chinese residents were recruited from February 7 to 14, 2020, the third week of lockdown. Self-report measures assessed uncertainty about COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, perceived stress, and sleep quality. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the relationships among uncertainty about COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, perceived stress, and sleep quality. Results. Sleep disturbance was common, with approximately half of participants (47.1%) reporting going to bed after 12:00am, 23.0% taking 30 minutes or longer to fall asleep, and 30.3% sleeping a total of 7 hours or less. Higher uncertainty about COVID-19 was significantly positively correlated with higher intolerance of uncertainty (r = 0.506, p < 0.001). Uncertainty about COVID-19 had a weak direct effect on poor sleep (β = 0.043, p < 0.05); however, there was a robust indirect effect on poor sleep through intolerance of uncertainty (β = 0.506, p < 0.001) and perceived stress (β = 0.479, p < 0.001). Conclusions. These findings suggest that intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress are critical targets for reducing sleep disturbance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the sustained uncertainties and challenges managing COVID-19, it is likely that, if unmanaged, COVID-19 related uncertainty will persist and continue to impact sleep outcomes.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document