Relationship between acute stress and sleep disorder in grass-root military personnel: mediating effect of social support.

Qi-Jun Zhang,Qiao-Li Zhang,Si-Yuan Zhang,Li-Yi Zhang,Gao-Feng Yao,Xin-Yang Sun,Ling-Ming Kong,Chun-Xia Chen

doi:10.1186/2054-9369-1-3

Abstract

BackgroundSleep disorder induced by acute stress has always been an important topic for study among the general population. However, the mediating effect of social support between acute stress and sleep disorder has rarely been reported before.MethodsA total of 2,411 grass-root military personnel were randomly selected by cluster sampling, and administered the Chinese Military Personnel Sleep Disorder Scale, Military Acute Stress Scale and Social Support Rating Scale.ResultsThe total score of acute stress scale was positively correlated with the total score and factor scores of sleep disorder scale (r = 0.209 ~ 0.465, P < 0.01); The total score of social support scale was positively correlated with the total score of acute stress scale and the total score and factor scores of sleep disorder scale (r = 0.356 ~ 0.537, P < 0.01). The analysis of mediating effects showed that lack of social support partially mediated between acute stress and the factors of sleep disorder. The analysis of structural equation model showed that acute stress not only had a direct effect on sleep disorder (the path coefficient was 0.29, P = 0.000), but also on lack of social support (the path coefficient was 0.39, P = 0.000); lack of social support had a direct effect on sleep disorder (the path coefficient was 0.48, P = 0.000).ConclusionsAcute stress and lack of social support are two significant factors of sleep disorder in grass-root military personnel. Well-established social support could alleviate sleep disorder induced by acute stress. Lack of social support was a partial mediator between acute stress and sleep disorder.

Highlights

Sleep disorder induced by acute stress has always been an important topic for study among the general population
It shows the total score of acute stress scale was positively correlated with social support (P < 0.01); the total score of acute stress scale was positively correlated with the total score and factor scores of sleep disorder (P < 0.01)
Mediating effect analysis Based upon the study by Zhonglin et al [9], Table 3 shows that lack of social support partially mediated between acute stress and the factors of sleep disorder

Summary

Introduction

Sleep disorder induced by acute stress has always been an important topic for study among the general population. The mediating effect of social support between acute stress and sleep disorder has rarely been reported before. Stress has been a significant predisposing cause for various major fatal diseases. Military stress is defined as a special emotional state under extraordinary military circumstances, which might physiologically and psychologically exert negative influences upon individuals [1]. Acute stress could potentially give rise to anxiety, irritability, sleep disorders in particular, and other symptoms as acute emotional reaction, and might compromise individuals’ functions in social, occupational and other significant fields [2]. Sleep quality has aroused extensive concerns, since it plays a significant three factors by mediating effect analysis and pathway analysis, in an effort to provide references for improving sleep quality in grass-root military personnel

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Discussion

Conclusion