Bidirectional relationships between sleep and work

Multidimensionality of the PROMIS sleep disturbance 8b short form in working adult populations

OBJECTIVES

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System sleep disturbance measures were developed using item response theory assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence. Given that sleep health is multidimensional, we evaluate the factor structure of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System sleep disturbance 8b short form to examine whether it reflects a unidimensional or multidimensional construct.

METHODS

Six full-time working adult samples were collected from civilian and military populations. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Single-factor and two-factor models were performed to evaluate the dimensionality of sleep disturbance using the 8b short form. Sleep duration and subjective health were examined as correlates of the sleep disturbance dimensions.

RESULTS

Across six working adult samples, single-factor models consistently demonstrated poor fit, whereas the two-factor models, with insomnia symptoms (ie, trouble sleeping) and dissatisfaction with sleep (ie, subjective quality of sleep) dimensions demonstrated sufficient fit that was significantly better than the single-factor models. Across each sample, dissatisfaction with sleep was more strongly correlated with sleep duration and subjective health than insomnia symptoms, providing additional evidence for distinguishability between the two sleep disturbance factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In working adult populations, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System sleep disturbance 8b short form is best modeled as two distinguishable factors capturing insomnia symptoms and dissatisfaction with sleep, rather than as a unidimensional sleep disturbance construct.

Racial/Ethnic and Sex/Gender Differences in Sleep Duration Trajectories From Adolescence to Adulthood in a US National Sample

Racial/ethnic and sex/gender disparities in sleep duration have been documented in adolescence and adulthood. Identifying racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood can inform interventions on the developmental periods individuals are most at risk for short sleep duration. We examined racial/ethnic and sex/gender differences in self-reported sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood using data from waves I, III, IV, and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994-2018; n = 12,593). Multigroup growth mixture modeling was used to enumerate sleep duration trajectories from adolescence to adulthood. There were 3 common trajectory types across race/ethnicity and sex/gender groups: 1) consistent increasing short sleepers (i.e., increasing probability of short sleep into adulthood) (67.3%); 2) late-onset short sleepers (i.e., no probability of short sleep duration in adolescence until adulthood) (20.2%); and 3) early-onset short sleepers (i.e., declining probability of short sleep duration from adolescence into adulthood) (12.5%). The prevalence of the consistent-increasing trajectory was highest among Black male respondents, while late onset was highest among White female respondents and early onset greatest among Latinx male respondents. Findings underscore the need to intervene in early adolescence to prevent short sleep duration in adulthood.

Impact of Retirement on Sleep Problems Among Older Workers and Their Partners

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sleep problems are a public health burden and have adverse health consequences in older adults. Despite sleep being a shared biological process between couples, to date there have not been any studies that have assessed the association between retirement and sleep, in older couples. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of retirement on diagnosed sleep problems in older Dutch couples.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study used data from two waves of the NIDI Pension Panel Study for older Dutch adults living with a partner (n= 3,726). Logistic regression models examined the strength of association between retirement and sleep problems, while accounting for the moderating role of relationship characteristics.

RESULTS

Retirement was associated with decreased odds of sleep problems at wave 2 (OR= 0.60, 95%CI=0.46-0.78). Lower relationship quality was associated with increased odds of sleep problems in the fully adjusted model (OR=1.81, 95%CI=1.32-2.49). Having a partner with sleep problems was associated with increased risk of sleep problems as well (OR=1.51, 95%CI=1.07-2.13). There was evidence of effect modification by relationship quality (OR= 1.87, 95%CI =1.05-3.31).

DISCISSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Retirement and sleep do not occur in a social vacuum and have implications beyond the individual level. More research is therefore needed to understand the impact of sleep and its health consequences on older coupled workers. Such research may provide valuable insights for management and treatment of sleep problems and may have implications for public health of aging communities.