Anxiety, Insomnia, and Napping Predict Poorer Sleep Quality in an Autistic Adult Population

Sullivan, Emma C., Halstead, Elizabeth J., Ellis, Jason G. and Dimitriou, Dagmara (2021) Anxiety, Insomnia, and Napping Predict Poorer Sleep Quality in an Autistic Adult Population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (18). p. 9883. ISSN 1660-4601

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189883

Abstract

Autistic adults have a high prevalence of sleep problems and psychiatric conditions. In the general population sleep problems have been associated with a range of demographic and lifestyle factors. Whether the same factors contribute to different types of disturbed sleep experienced by autistic adults is unknown and served as the main aim of this study. An online survey was conducted with 493 autistic adults. Demographic information (e.g., age, gender), about lifestyle (e.g., napping), and information about comorbid conditions was collected. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess daytime somnolence. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine predictors of each subscale score on the PSQI, as well as PSQI and ESS total scores. Results indicated that individuals who reported having a diagnosis of anxiety and insomnia were more likely to have poorer sleep quality outcomes overall. Furthermore, individuals who reported habitually napping had higher daytime dysfunction, increased sleep disturbances, and increased daytime sleepiness. These results provide novel insights into the demographic and lifestyle factors that influence sleep quality and daytime somnolence in autistic adults and can be used for targeted sleep interventions.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This research was funded by The John and Lorna Wing Foundation grant number [179414]. The funders had no involvement in study design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, writing, or decision to submit this journal article for publication.
Uncontrolled Keywords: sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, autistic adults, demographic factors, lifestyle factors
Subjects: C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 21 Sep 2021 13:19
Last Modified: 15 Oct 2021 09:45
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/47308

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