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Worry about COVID-19 as a predictor of future insomnia.

Lily A BrownGabriella E HamlettYiqin ZhuJoshua F WileyTyler M MooreGrace E DiDomenicoElina VisokiDavid M GreenbergRuben C GurRaquel E GurRan Barzilay
Published in: Journal of sleep research (2022)
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in significant increases in insomnia, with up to 60% of people reporting increased insomnia. However, it is unclear whether exposure to risk factors for the virus or worries about COVID-19 are more strongly associated with insomnia. Using a three-part survey over the course of the first 6 months of the pandemic, we evaluated associations between COVID-19 exposures, COVID-19 worries, and insomnia. We hypothesised that COVID-19-related worries and exposure to risk of COVID-19 would predict increases in insomnia. Participants (N = 3,560) completed a survey at three time-points indicating their exposures to COVID-19 risk factors, COVID-19-related worries, and insomnia. COVID-19 worry variables were consistently associated with greater insomnia severity, whereas COVID-19 exposure variables were not. COVID-19 worries decreased significantly over time, and there were significant interactions between change in COVID-19 worries and change in insomnia severity over time. Individuals who experienced increases in COVID-19 worries also experienced increases in insomnia severity. Changes in worry during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with changes in insomnia; worries about COVID-19 were a more consistent predictor of insomnia than COVID-19 exposures. Evidence-based treatments targeting virus-related worries may improve insomnia during this and future calamities.
Keyphrases
  • coronavirus disease
  • sars cov
  • respiratory syndrome coronavirus
  • sleep quality
  • risk factors
  • drug delivery
  • physical activity
  • cancer therapy
  • cross sectional