Cognitive and psychological factors associated with severe insomnia in Brazilian women: a cross-sectional study

Author(s)

El Rafihi-Ferreira, Renatha ; do Carmo, Marwin Machay Indio do Brasil ; Bassolli, Lucas ; Hasan, Rosa ; Aizawa, Isabela Mayumi Nishino ; Toscanini, Andrea Cecilia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PSICOLOGIA-REFLEXAO E CRITICA; v. 35, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2022-12-23.

Abstract

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder in women. Sociodemographic, cognitive, and psychological factors may contribute to its severity. This study evaluated factors associated with severe insomnia in women with insomnia complaints. We evaluated 530 women aged 18-59 (mean = 40.5, SD = 10.2), who experienced insomnia complaints, using self-report instruments. Severe insomnia was defined as a score above 21 on the Insomnia Severity Index. Age, marital status, educational level, depression and anxiety, psychological inflexibility, and beliefs about sleep were assessed as potential factors associated with severe insomnia. Simple and multivariate analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression. Low education level (odds ratio; OR = 1.85 [1.27-2.69]), depression (OR = 2.17 [1.27-3.81]), psychological inflexibility (OR = 1.05 [1.02-1.08]), and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (OR = 1.04 [1.02-1.06]) were factors associated with severe insomnia scores in the multiple logistic regression model. These findings are important from a public health perspective, because behavioral strategies designed to treat insomnia with a focus on cognitive and psychological factors are low-cost treatments and may help improve sleep quality in women, which also influences mental health. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/05573-5 - Cross cultural adaptation and validation of the scales dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep and sleep problem acceptance questionnaire
• Grantee: Marwin Machay Indio do Brasil do Carmo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 18/19506-5 - Acceptance and commitment therapy for insomnnia
• Grantee: Renatha El Rafihi Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/01872-8 - Acceptance and commitment therapy for insomnnia
• Grantee: Isabela Mayumi Nishino Aizawa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 19/25537-3 - Acceptance and commitment therapy for insomnnia
• Grantee: Renatha El Rafihi Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers