Loneliness and sleep in older adults.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The present analysis aims to examine if loneliness is associated with sleep problems and duration over a 4-year period in a sample of older adults aged 50 years and over. METHODS: Data on loneliness, sleep duration, sleep problems and covariates were obtained from 5698 participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing at baseline (wave 4) and follow up (wave 6). RESULTS: Following adjustment for covariates, baseline loneliness was associated with an increase in the odds of reporting short sleep, and more sleep problems at follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Short sleep may represent an important mechanism through which loneliness affects health.