Age-Based Differences in Sleep Quality, Pre-Sleep Arousal, and Psychosocial Factors during the Second Wave Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Georgia—A Higher Vulnerability of Younger People

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply disrupted sleep and mental health of people around the world. We aimed to investigate age-based differences in the prevalence of and relationship between sleep quality, pre-sleep arousal, and psychosocial factors during the second wave lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia. Data were collected through an online survey (n = 1117). Participants were categorized into four age groups: 18-29, 30-41, 42-53, and 54-70 years. The youngest participants reported the most prevalent disruption of sleep behavior. Overall, 58.3% of respondents were poor sleepers. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score was highest in the youngest age group but the difference was not significant. There was a significant difference in the PSQI component scores for subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and daytime dysfunction, all being worse in young respondents. We also observed a significantly higher prevalence rate of worse sleep quality in the youngest age group, relative to the pre-pandemic period. On the other hand, the oldest respondents showed significantly greater use of sleeping medications. Significantly higher levels of somatic and cognitive pre-sleep arousal, perceived stress, feeling depressed, anxious, and socially isolated were reported by the youngest age group. Study findings indicate a higher vulnerability of younger people to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessment of pre-sleep arousal and implementation of specific, age-based interventions may prove beneficial to improve possible consequences of the pandemic on sleep and mental health.