0197 To delay perchance to sleep: The daily association between pre-sleep arousal and bedtime procrastination

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bedtime procrastination, a behavior associated with poor sleep health and wellbeing, refers to voluntary delays of bedtime. Although bedtime procrastination is often defined as a needless or mindless delay, bedtime procrastinators often report delaying their bedtime strategically to regulate sleep-interfering processes. One such process is pre-sleep arousal, an important vulnerability for and perpetuating factor in insomnia. Preliminary evidence supports this association, as some bedtime procrastinators report delaying bedtime to avoid anxiety-producing bedtime routines. However, this association has not been directly examined. To further investigate strategic delay in bedtime procrastination, the current study examined the association between pre-sleep arousal and bedtime procrastination using a daily diary design. Methods 390 young adult participants (Mage = 24.4, SD = 6.5) completed 14-days of experience sampling procedures, including completing self-report measures of nightly pre-sleep arousal and morning ratings of prior-night bedtime procrastination. Associations between pre-sleep arousal and bedtime procrastination were estimated with multilevel models using centering procedures which disaggregated between- and within-person covariance. Gender and age were entered into each model as covariates. Results Pre-sleep arousal was associated with increased bedtime procrastination both within- (B = 0.01, p < 0.001) and between-persons (B = 0.02, p < 0.001). Additionally, cognitive pre-sleep arousal was more strongly associated with bedtime procrastination (Bwithin = 0.014, p < 0.001; Bbetween = 0.032, p < 0.001) than somatic arousal (Bwithin = 0.007, p = 0.165; Bbetween = 0.038, p < 0.001). Conclusion The results suggest that pre-sleep arousal is a putative mechanism for bedtime procrastination. Cognitive arousal, including worry and rumination, may be particularly relevant for the development of this behavior. This finding supports the notion that bedtime procrastination may occur as a (maladaptive) strategy to regulate pre-sleep arousal. Alternatively, findings may suggest that bedtime procrastinators engage in arousing pre-sleep activities. Regardless, the association between bedtime procrastination and pre-sleep arousal suggests that bedtime procrastination is relevant in the development and/or maintenance of sleep-related disorders. Treatment of bedtime procrastination may be enhanced by considering the role this behavior has in regulating pre-sleep arousal. Support (if any)