Predicting the Persistence of Insomnia Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with vulnerability and course of insomnia longitudinally in the COVID-19 pandemic and examine differences between: (a) those who never demonstrated clinical insomnia symptoms, (b) those who demonstrated clinically elevated insomnia symptoms at 1 or 2 time points, and (c) those who demonstrated clinically elevated insomnia symptoms at all 3 time points. METHODS: Participants (≥18 years old) completed measures of insomnia (ISI), depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), and pre-sleep arousal (PSAS) at 3 time points (baseline, 1 month, and 3 months). Data were analyzed using univariable odds ratios and multivariable multicategory logistic regression to determine demographic, psychological, and behavioral predictors of insomnia persistence. RESULTS: A total of 129 participants completed all 3 assessments (70 female, age M = 44 years, SD = 16). We found that 40% (N = 51) never had insomnia symptoms, 33% (N = 42) reported transient insomnia symptoms (1 or 2 time points), and 28% (N = 36) reported persistent insomnia symptoms (all 3 time points). From the multivariable multicategory logistic analyses, pre-sleep arousal, gender, and income were significant predictors of insomnia persistence. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate elevated insomnia symptoms were persistent in a substantial number of individuals throughout the pandemic. Results suggest additional insomnia and psychological interventions are needed to improve sleep and mental health.

Sleep, Diet, Physical Activity, and Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed routines and habits, raising stress and anxiety levels of individuals worldwide. The goal of this qualitative study was to advance the understanding of how pandemic-related changes affected sleep, diet, physical activity (PA), and stress among adults. We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 185 participants and selected 33 interviews from a represented sample based on age, race, and gender for coding and analysis of themes. After coding for thematic analysis, results demonstrated four primary themes: sleep, diet, PA, and stress. Sleep sub-themes such as poorer sleep quality were reported by 36% of our participants, and 12% reported increased an frequency of vivid dreams and nightmares. PA was decreased in 52% of our participants, while 33% experienced an increase and 15% experienced no change in PA. Participants also reported having an improved diet, mostly among women. Stress was elevated in 79% of our participants and was more likely to be discussed by women. Many participants reported how stress was involved in precipitating health behavior change, especially for sleep. Increased stress was also linked to elevated anxiety and depression among participants. The results of this qualitative study demonstrate how managing stress could have a beneficial effect on promoting health behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.