Pain in your day? Get sleep treatment anyway! The role of pain in insomnia treatment efficacy in women veterans.

Insomnia and pain disorders are among the most common conditions affecting United States adults and veterans, and their comorbidity can cause detrimental effects to quality of life among other factors. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and related behavioural therapies are recommended treatments for insomnia, but chronic pain may hinder treatment benefit. Prior research has not addressed how pain impacts the effects of behavioural insomnia treatment in United States women veterans. Using data from a comparative effectiveness clinical trial of two insomnia behavioural treatments (both including sleep restriction, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene education), we examined the impact of pain severity and pain interference on sleep improvements from baseline to post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. We found no significant moderation effects of pain severity or interference in the relationship between treatment phase and sleep outcomes. Findings highlight opportunities for using behavioural sleep interventions in patients, particularly women veterans, with comorbid pain and insomnia, and highlight areas for future research.

Longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-Four in China.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety symptoms among medical students are often a concern. The Patient Health Questionnaire-Four (PHQ-4), an important tool for depression and anxiety screening, is commonly used and easy to administer. This study aimed to assess and update the longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among healthcare students using the PHQ-4. Structural validity was based on one-factor, two-factor, and second-order factor models, construct validity was based on the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ), Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI), internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were based on structural consistency across three time points. RESULTS: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that two-factor model was the best fit, and LMI was supported at three time points. Inter-factor, factor-total, and construct validity correlations of the PHQ-4 were acceptable. Additionally, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and the intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated acceptable/moderate to excellent reliability of the PHQ-4. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds new longitudinal evidence that the Chinese version of the PHQ-4 has promising LMI and psychometric properties. Such data lends confidence to the routine and the expanded use of the PHQ-4 for routine screening of depression and anxiety in Chinese healthcare students.

Sleep and Depression in Older Adults: A Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The sleep-depression association has been recognized for decades. Efforts to clarify this association continue at an increasing pace. This review summarizes recent research on the sleep-depression association in older adults. RECENT FINDINGS: Research over the past 4 years has utilized cross-sectional, longitudinal, cohort, and intervention designs to examine these associations. Short (< 7 h) and long (> 8-9 h) sleep durations and insomnia symptoms are risk factors for depression in older adults. Similarly, short sleep, long sleep, insomnia symptoms, and depression are all risk factors for poorer health in late life, including increased risk of cognitive decline, falls, and poorer quality-of-life. Intervention studies have produced mixed findings, with some studies suggesting that sleep interventions may be potentially effective in improving both insomnia and mood symptoms. Intervention studies incorporating both behavioral and physiological measures of sleep, and larger and diverse samples may enhance the field's understanding of the complex interplay between sleep and mood in older adults.

Race as a Potential Moderator of the Association between Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep and Global Sleep Health.

OBJECTIVES: Dysfunctional beliefs about sleep are associated with components of sleep health, but their association with global sleep health is understudied. Beliefs about sleep may systematically vary by race, which may influence the association between dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and global sleep health. This study aimed to investigate whether race influences the association between dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and global sleep health. METHODS: Data were collected as part of an online survey. Participants were Black (n = 181) and White (n = 179) adults who were matched on age, self-reported sex, and level of education. Global sleep health was measured using the RU-SATED and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep were measured using the DBAS-16. Moderation analyses were conducted to investigate whether race moderated the association between DBAS-16 total and subscale scores and RU-SATED total scores. RESULTS: Race moderated the associations between DBAS-16 total score and subscale scores and RU-SATED total score (b = 0.54, p < .001). Higher DBAS-16 scores were significantly associated with lower RU-SATED scores in the white sample, while this association was not significant in the Black sample, except for the Sleep Expectations subscale, where the association was not significant in the White sample, and it was significant in the Black sample. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight that the association between dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and global sleep health may systematically vary by race which may have implications for promoting sleep health equity in racial minority populations through clinical and advocacy work. Future studies are needed to investigate what specific factors may be impacting these unique associations.

Building the Geropsychology Workforce: A National Survey and Virtual Conference Define Critical Obstacles and Steps Forward.

The number of psychologists prepared to work with older adults falls far short of the demand. In the face of perceptions of a worsening geriatric workforce shortage, we describe the process of developing and implementing a national virtual conference aimed at generating solutions. A preconference survey (n = 174) found fewer applicants than desirable for aging-targeted graduate student, trainee, clinician, or academic positions (58.6%) and decreased student interest in aging (43.7%), with downstream consequences of filling age-targeted positions by those without aging backgrounds (32.3%), difficulty securing funding for aging-related positions (28.7%), and loss of aging-related positions (27.0%). Two fifths (40.7%) felt these problems have worsened as compared to 5 years ago. Qualitative responses provide detailed perspectives on these barriers and strategies generally and in particular as relates to racial and ethnic diversity and academic geropsychology. During a 2-day conference, attendees developed and prioritized strategies. Following a postconference survey to ascertain interest in volunteering, seven work groups were formed that have made progress on these issues. A virtual conference provides an inclusive, cost-effective, and fruitful opportunity to discuss workforce concerns in geropsychology and to generate numerous ideas to promote positive change.

Change in Dysfunctional Sleep-Related Beliefs is Associated with Changes in Sleep and Other Health Outcomes Among Older Veterans With Insomnia: Findings From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) targets changing dysfunctional sleep-related beliefs. The impact of these changes on daytime functioning in older adults is unknown. PURPOSE: We examined whether changes in sleep-related beliefs from pre- to post-CBTI predicted changes in sleep and other outcomes in older adults. METHOD: Data included 144 older veterans with insomnia from a randomized controlled trial testing CBTI. Sleep-related beliefs were assessed with the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep-16 (DBAS-16, subscales: Consequences, Worry/Helplessness, Sleep Expectations, Medication). Outcomes included sleep diary variables, actigraphy-measured sleep efficiency, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Flinders Fatigue Scale (FFS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and health-related quality of life. Analyses compared slope of change in DBAS subscales from baseline to posttreatment between CBTI and control, and assessed the relationship between DBAS change and the slope of change in outcomes from baseline to 6 months. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the CBTI group demonstrated stronger associations between improvement in DBAS-Consequences and subsequent improvement in PSQI, ISI, ESS, and FFS. The CBTI group also demonstrated stronger associations between improvement in DBAS-Worry/Helplessness and subsequent improvements in PSQI, ISI, and FFS; improvements in DBAS-Medication and PSQI; and improvements in DBAS-Sleep Expectations and wake after sleep onset (sleep diary) and FFS (all p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant reduction in dysfunctional sleep-related beliefs following CBTI in older adults predicted improvement in several outcomes of sleep and daytime functioning. This suggests the importance of addressing sleep-related beliefs for sustained improvement with CBTI in older veterans. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00781963.

Pain Experiences in Individuals with Reported and Suspected Sleep Disorders.

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether individuals with varying reported and/or suspected insomnia and sleep apnea presentations differed with respect to pain.Data included 3,161 adults who participated in an online study investigating sleep and health. Participants reported a lifetime history of prior sleep disorder diagnoses while the presence of suspected sleep disorders was determined using the Insomnia Severity Index and the STOP-Bang. Average pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale and pain interference was determined using two items from the PHQ-15. Participants who reported diagnoses of insomnia and/or sleep apnea reported greater pain intensity and interference compared to those with no sleep disorder; however, no differences in pain were observed between the various reported sleep disorders. Of participants who did not report either insomnia or sleep apnea diagnoses, 24% were suspected of having either insomnia, sleep apnea, or both disorders based on responses to questionnaires. Participants with one or more suspected sleep disorders reported higher pain intensity and interference than those without a suspected disorder. Additionally, having either suspected insomnia or suspected comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea was associated with greater pain intensity compared to only having suspected sleep apnea. Sleep disorders go commonly undiagnosed and are associated with adverse pain experiences. While results do not support a synergistic effect of suspected insomnia and sleep apnea on pain, findings indicate that screening for sleep disorders is warranted and may have important implications for pain treatment.

Sleep and Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Path Forward.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize research examining the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep and healthy aging in late-life. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted via both PubMed and PsychINFO databases using terms related to "sleep" and "healthy aging." Studies which examined the association between healthy aging and one or more sleep parameters were included in the present review. RESULTS: Fourteen relevant studies, nine cross-sectional and five longitudinal, were identified. Overall, cross-sectional studies revealed that positive indicators of sleep were generally associated with a greater likelihood of healthy aging. In contrast, a limited number of existing longitudinal studies revealed mixed and inconclusive results. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that adequate sleep is more likely to coincide with relevant markers of healthy aging in late-life and underscores the need for additional research investigating the longitudinal associations between sleep and healthy aging. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthy sleep, consisting of moderate sleep duration and good quality, shows promise for the promotion of healthy aging. Consequently, poor sleep should be identified and intervened upon when necessary.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Risk and Benzodiazepine Dependence in Older Veterans with Insomnia Symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the rate of benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZA) dependence in older veterans with insomnia symptoms chronically using BZAs and to assess for associations between high posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk and BZA dependence. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among veterans aged 55 years and older with insomnia symptoms (current or historical) and chronic use of BZAs (≥3 months). Measurements included the Primary Care-PTSD screen (score >2 indicates high PTSD risk) and Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to test for associations between PTSD risk and BZA dependence. RESULTS: A high PTSD risk was observed in 40% of the participants (N = 33). One-fifth (21.7%, N = 18) of participants met the criteria for benzodiazepine dependence (score ≥23 on Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire). Veterans with high PTSD risk were significantly more likely to have BZA dependence (odds ratio 10.09, 95% CI [2.39, 42.54], p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: In older veterans with insomnia symptoms and chronic use of BZAs, high PTSD risk is associated with elevated risk for BZA dependence, which may make discontinuation of these medications difficult. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should consider the strong association between PTSD symptoms and benzodiazepine dependence when developing plans to taper a BZA in veterans with these symptoms.

Check your sleep before you start: A secondary analysis of a stress management intervention for caregivers of stem cell transplant patients.

OBJECTIVE: Caregiving for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients is associated with significant physical and psychological sequelae. While psychosocial interventions may reduce caregiver burden, knowledge regarding which caregivers may benefit the most from such interventions is limited. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine whether HSCT caregivers' peritransplant sleep moderated the effect of a psychosocial intervention on depression and anxiety posttransplant. METHODS: Participants included 135 caregivers (mean age = 54.23) who participated in randomized controlled trial and were assigned to receive either 8 weeks of Psychoeducation, Paced Respiration, and Relaxation (PEPRR) or treatment as usual (TAU). Sleep, depression, and anxiety were assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Caregiver symptoms were assessed at baseline (e.g., peritransplant period) and 6-month posttransplant. RESULTS: Baseline sleep quality (∆R2  = 0.04, p = 0.002), sleep efficiency (∆R2  = 0.03, p = 0.02), and sleep onset latency (∆R2  = 0.07, p < 0.001) independently moderated the effect of group assignment on depression outcomes at the 6-month follow-up. Specifically, caregivers with poor sleep at baseline who received PEPRR reported significantly lower depression scores at follow-up compared to caregivers with poor sleep who received TAU. By contrast, only sleep quality (∆R2  = 0.02, p = 0.01) and sleep onset latency (∆R2  = 0.02, p = 0.005) moderated the effect of the group assignment on anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosocial interventions for HSCT caregivers may buffer against psychological morbidity, particularly among caregivers with poor sleep quality.

Sleep quality, neurocognitive performance, and memory self-appraisal in middle-aged and older adults with memory complaints.

OBJECTIVE: Because of inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function in people with age-related memory complaints, we examined how self-reports of sleep quality were related to multiple domains of both objective and subjective cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study involving analysis of baseline data, collected as part of a clinical trial. MEASUREMENTS: Two hundred and three participants (mean age = 60.4 [6.5] years, 69.0% female) with mild memory complaints were asked to rate their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and their memory performance using the Memory Functioning Questionnaire (MFQ), which measures self-awareness of memory ability. Neurocognitive performance was evaluated using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Trail Making Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and the Brief Visuospatial Test - Revised (BVMT-R). RESULTS: Total PSQI scores were significantly associated with objective measures of sustained attention (CPT hit reaction time by block and standard error by block) and subjective memory loss (MFQ frequency and seriousness of forgetting). The PSQI components of (poorer) sleep quality and (greater) sleep disturbance were related to (worse) sustained attention scores while increased sleep latency and daytime sleepiness were associated with greater frequency and seriousness of forgetting. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep quality is related to both objective measures of sustained attention and self-awareness of memory decline. These findings suggest that interventions for improving sleep quality may contribute not only to improving the ability to focus on a particular task but also in reducing memory complaints in middle-aged and older adults.

Sleep Health as Measured by RU SATED: A Psychometric Evaluation.

Objective/Background: Sleep health is a multidimensional construct of sleep and wakefulness that operationalizes optimal sleep as more than the absence disease. Despite its importance to public health promotion efforts, empirical research examining sleep health is currently limited, possibly due to the lack of empirically validated measures. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a previously proposed six-item sleep health scale (RU- SATED). Participants: A sample of 3,401 adults (Mean Age = 42.77, 47.8% female) completed an online survey of sleep and health. Methods: Participants completed the RU-SATED scale, as well as other sleep-related measures including the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Sleep Self-Efficacy Scale (SSE). Results: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a two-factor structure. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using this two-factor structure demonstrated adequate to good model fit indices (X 2 = 45.96, df = 8, p < .01; RMSEA = .04; CFI = .98; NFI = .98; TLI = .97). Cronbach's α was .64 and the average interitem correlation was .22. RU-SATED was negatively associated with insomnia severity and positively associated with both self-reported sleep and sleep self-efficacy. Conclusions: RU-SATED appears to be a valid instrument for the assessment of sleep health among adults that is related to, but distinct from, other established sleep constructs. Future research may benefit from examining the test-retest reliability of the measure and assessing the predictive validity of sleep health as it relates to health-related outcomes.

Sleep Discrepancy in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia in Older Adults.

Background/Objective: Some older adults with insomnia experience sleep discrepancy, often characterized by greater subjective sleep difficulties and shorter subjective sleep duration than the estimates derived from objective measures. The present study examined whether a brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBTi) is efficacious for reducing sleep discrepancy in older adults. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of BBTi for community dwelling older adults with chronic insomnia (N = 62). Thirty-two participants received BBTi, delivered in four individual face-to-face sessions. Thirty received the self-monitoring control (SMC). They all completed daily sleep diaries and wore an actigraph from baseline to posttreatment, and for 2 weeks at 3-month follow-up. Sleep discrepancy was calculated by subtracting diary from actigraphy estimates of sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and total sleep time (TST). Mixed modeling was used to analyze data. SOL discrepancy decreased significantly in BBTi participants compared to SMC participants. The decreases in SOL discrepancy were explained by changes in diary-assessed SOL and subjective sleep quality but not changes in actigraphy-assessed SOL. Although WASO discrepancy and TST discrepancy decreased from baseline to posttreatment and follow-up, the Time by Group interaction effects were not significant indicating that BBTi participants did not experience greater reductions in WASO discrepancy and TST discrepancy than SMC participants. In conclusion, BBTi is efficacious for reducing SOL discrepancy in older adults with chronic insomnia.

Sleep Disturbance Mediates the Association Between Loneliness and Health in Older Americans.

BACKGROUND: As the research documenting loneliness as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality continues to grow, it becomes increasingly critical to understand the mechanics of this relationship. This study assessed whether sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between loneliness and health. METHOD: Data came from the 2006, 2010, and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of older Americans; participants ≥ 65 who completed the Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaire in 2006 were included (n = 5067). Measures include the Hughes loneliness scales, a modified version of the Jenkins sleep scale, and self-reported health. Cross-lagged mediation models (i.e., path analysis) were used to model the relationships between loneliness, sleep disturbance, and self-reported health over the 8-year span. RESULTS: Loneliness predicted subsequent sleep disturbance, which in turn predicted subsequent self-reported health. Moreover, there was evidence of both direct and indirect effects (via sleep disturbance) of loneliness on self-reported health. These effects remained after controlling for demographics, isolation, and depression. CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbance partially mediates the relationship between loneliness and self-reported health over 8 years. These findings are not attributable to isolation or depression. Further research is necessary to develop and assess a more comprehensive model of how loneliness shapes health. This study indicates that targeting sleep disturbance may mitigate the health risks of loneliness in older Americans.

Measurement of aggression in older adults.

Aggressive behaviors are prevalent in late-life and are associated with important consequences for older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Age-related changes in the manifestation of aggression are precipitated in part by the rise of cognitive impairment. Such changes necessitate the use of psychometrically sound measures. The present article identifies existing measures of aggression for older adults, highlights the strengths and limitations of these measures, and proposes avenues for future research in this area. Five full-scale measures of aggression, as well as five subscales of aggression embedded within larger non-aggression measures in older adults were identified. Overall, measures of aggression specific to late-life are predominately observational and limited to individuals with dementia or older adults living in long-term care settings. The psychometric properties of aggression scales in late-life generally indicate adequate internal consistency, interrater reliability, and concurrent validity. In contrast, the reliability and validity of subscales of aggression contained within larger neuropsychiatric measures are more difficult to ascertain due to limited research. Future investigations would benefit from examining the psychometric properties of widely-used self-report measures of aggression among older adults, further evaluating the psychometric properties of aggression subscales, and developing additional measures which are predictive of aggressive behaviors.

Insomnia Disorder and Behaviorally Induced Insufficient Sleep Syndrome: Prevalence and Relationship to Depression in College Students.

Background: College students are at increased risk for sleep disorders, including insomnia disorder and obtaining less than 6.5 hr of sleep per night by choice, or behaviorally induced insufficient sleep syndrome (BIISS). These disorders can have deleterious daytime consequences, including depression. This study aims to establish the prevalence of insomnia and BIISS disorders and examine associations of insomnia and BIISS with other sleep characteristics and depression. Methods: A subset of data from Spit for Science, a college risk behaviors and health study (n = 989) was used. Insomnia and BIISS were defined as mutually exclusive disorders, based on diagnostic criteria. Results: A majority (68%) of students were categorized as normal sleepers, followed by insomnia (22%), and BIISS (10%). Sleep duration was comparable between BIISS and insomnia, while daytime sleepiness was significantly higher in BIISS, and sleep latency was longer in insomnia (m = 44 vs. m = 13 min). Insomnia was associated with the highest depression symptoms, followed by BIISS, and normal sleep, controlling for demographics. Insomnia was associated with twice the risk of moderate or higher depression compared to normal sleep (CI: 1.60, 2.70, p < .001). Conclusion: These findings highlight the sleep difficulties endemic to college populations. Further, this study provides the first prevalence estimation of BIISS in college students and the first comparison of insomnia and BIISS on sleep characteristics and depressive symptoms. This study underscores the importance of targeted screening and intervention to improve both sleep and depression in this vulnerable population.

Effects of Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia on Daily Associations between Self-Reported Sleep and Objective Cognitive Performance in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Behavioral treatments for insomnia improve sleep in older adults, but research documenting their effects on cognitive performance is mixed. We explored whether a brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBTi) impacts daily associations between sleep parameters and next day cognition. METHODS: Sixty-two older adults (Mage = 69.45 years, SD = 7.71) with insomnia completed either 4 weeks of BBTi or self-monitoring control (SMC). At baseline, post-treatment, and 3 month follow-up, participants completed 14 days of diaries measuring sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE), as well as daily cognitive tests measuring processing speed (i.e., symbol digit modalities test, SDMT), and reasoning (i.e., letter series). At each time period, associations between sleep parameters and daily cognition, controlling for age, education, insomnia duration, use of sleep medications, and depression (i.e., Beck Depression Inventory-2nd Edition scores), were examined through multilevel modeling. RESULTS: At post-treatment, we observed an interactive fixed effect of treatment condition (i.e., BBTi/SMC) and TST on daily SDMT and letter series performance. For BBTi, longer TST was associated with better letter series performance, and did not predict SDMT performance. For SMC, longer TST was associated with worse SDMT, and was not associated with letter series performance. Greater WASO (regardless of group) was associated with better SDMT performance at post-treatment. Associations were not maintained at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep duration may play an important role in BBTi-related improvements in daily higher order cognition. Maintenance of these associations may be facilitated by booster sessions following post-treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER: NCT02967185.

Anxiety and executive functions in mid-to-late life: the moderating role of sleep.

Objectives: The goal of the study was to examine the influence of sleep efficiency on the relationship between anxiety and executive functions.Method: Secondary data analyses of 82 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults were performed (M age = 63.00, SD = 8.64). Anxiety was measured using the trait anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Sleep efficiency was measured using one-week of sleep diary data. Two executive functions, cognitive flexibility and inductive reasoning, were measured using the Trail-Making Test and Letter Series task, respectively. SPSS PROCESS macro software version 2 was used to assess the moderating role of sleep efficiency in the relationship between anxiety and executive functions.Results: Sleep significantly moderated the relationship between anxiety and inductive reasoning. Among middle-aged and older adults with high anxiety, those with good sleep efficiency displayed significantly better inductive reasoning than those with poor sleep efficiency after controlling for age, gender, and education (ΔR2 = .05, p = .017). Sleep efficiency did not significantly moderate the relationship between anxiety and cognitive flexibility.Conclusion: Sleep efficiency weakened the association between anxiety and inductive reasoning in middle-aged and older adults. Evidence from the study suggests better sleep may limit the negative effects of anxiety on executive functions in mid-to-late life. Further research is needed to elucidate the impact of anxiety and sleep on executive functions in clinical populations with anxiety.

Mental health and sleep disparities in an urban college sample: A longitudinal examination of White and Black students.

OBJECTIVE: Racial disparities in sleep may be consequential among college students given high rates of dysfunctional sleep among this population. The present study sought to investigate whether disparities in sleep explain existing mental health disparities. METHOD: Data included secondary analysis of a college risk behaviors and health study (n = 1242, mean age = 18.5). Race was dichotomized as White or Black, excluding all others, with participants completing measures of sleep at baseline and measures of depression and anxiety at follow-up 1 to 2 years later. RESULTS: Compared to White students, Black students were more likely to report lower rates of depression and anxiety, but poorer sleep outcomes. Mediation analyses revealed that sleep partially mediated (suppressed) the association between race and depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that disparities in sleep may play an important role in the association between race and mental health symptoms among college students. Future health disparity research would benefit from exploring the potentially bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health symptoms among college students.

Sleep Disturbance, Mental Health Symptoms, and Quality of Life: A Structural Equation Model Assessing Aspects of Caregiver Burden.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to examine the association between sleep disturbance, mental health symptoms, and quality of life among informal caregivers. The study also aimed to assess whether greater caregiver demands (i.e., hours spent providing care per week) altered the associations between these physical and mental health outcomes. METHODS: 530 informal caregivers participated in an online study of sleep and health across the lifespan. Sleep disturbance was assessed via the Insomnia Severity Index and RU-SATED. Mental health was measured using the PHQ-2, GAD-2, and the PANAS. Quality of life was assessed via the Satisfaction with Life Scale. RESULTS: Results revealed an indirect association between sleep disturbance and quality of life via increased mental health symptoms (ß = -.21, p =.001). This indirect association was moderated by caregiver demands (ß =.33, p =.002), with higher caregiving demands increasing the association between sleep disturbance and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the adverse outcomes associated with sleep disturbance among caregivers and suggest that higher caregiving demands increases the effect of sleep disturbance on quality of life. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Increased caregiving is associated with adverse physical and mental health consequences. Assessing and treating sleep disturbance among caregivers is needed and may lead to improvements in mental health and quality of life.