0247 Executive Function and Social-Cognitive Predictors of Behavioral Sleep Restriction

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Although insufficient sleep is a global public health concern, the causes of insufficient sleep in the general population are variable and complex. A substantial number of individuals engage in behavioral sleep restriction (BSR), defined as limiting nocturnal time in bed to less than the recommended total sleep time, but little is known about the factors that influence BSR. Notably, the impact of cognitive processes on BSR has not been empirically tested, though processes such as executive function (EF) and social-cognitive beliefs are clearly relevant to other health-related behaviors. This study sought to investigate the extent to which EF and social-cognitive factors predict BSR. Methods Participants included 205 healthy adults aged 18–35. EFs (i.e., inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility) were assessed with a neurocognitive task battery and social-cognitive factors (i.e., attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control) related to healthy sleep duration were self-reported, followed by 1 week of actigraphy. BSR was represented as the number of nights that actigraphy-estimated time in bed was fewer than 8 hours. Results On average, participants engaged in BSR 3 nights per week. Hierarchical linear regressions were tested separately for EFs and social-cognitive factors. Results revealed that, after controlling for general intelligence, EF did not predict BSR. In contrast, social-cognitive factors did predict BSR (F(202,3)=8.71, p<001), with both attitudes (β=.20, p=.005) and perceived behavioral control (β=.15, p<.001) emerging as significant predictors. Interactions between EFs and social-cognitive factors were also explored, suggesting interactions between inhibitory control and perceived behavioral control (p=.03) as well as cognitive flexibility and attitudes (p=.05). Conclusion Taken together, these results highlight the high frequency of BSR and the role that social-cognitive factors may play in facilitating BSR among adults who may otherwise obtain healthy sleep. Efforts to promote sleep health in the general population would benefit from greater understanding of modifiable factors that increase BSR. Support This research was supported by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number 5P30GM114748.