The moderating role of gender in the association between quality of social relationships and sleep

Zahra Mousavi,Jessica L Borelli,Amy L Dent,Kate R Kuhlman,Mai-Lan Tran

doi:10.1007/s10865-022-00286-6

Zahra Mousavi, Jessica L Borelli + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-022-00286-6

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Abstract

To determine whether the association between perceived social support or strain in close relationships and sleep outcomes varies by gender. Participants were selected from the Biomarker projects of either the MIDUS II or MIDUS Refresher study if they were in a married-or married-like relationship and shared a bed with their partner (N = 989). A subsample also participated in a seven-day sleep study (n = 282). Perceived social support and strain from partner, family, and friends were examined by self-report questionnaires. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, sleep daily diary, and actigraphy to measure both subjective and objective sleep. Social support and strain were both associated with sleep outcomes. Specifically, higher social support was associated with fewer daily reports of light sleep and feeling more rested in the morning, while higher social strain was associated with higher clinical sleep disturbance. For women, but not men, social support was significantly associated with lower daily sleep disturbance while perceived social strain was significantly associated with higher daily sleep disturbance, lighter sleep, feeling less rested in the morning, lower sleep efficiency, and longer sleep onset latency. Mainly among women, social support and strain are associated with an important transdiagnostic health outcome–sleep–which may have implications for a wide range of health disparities. Interpersonal stressors may increase health risks differently for women compared to men and one mechanism that may link social relationships to long-term health outcomes is sleep.

Highlights

Social connection and quality of social relationships are important determinants of mental and physical health (HoltLunstad, 2018; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010)
There were significant bivariate associations between perceived social support and strain with clinical sleep disturbance, daily sleep disturbances, light sleep, feeling less-rested, and lack of alertness measured with daily diaries
The model predicting clinical sleep disturbance from total social support and strain while controlling for the major health events, age, and employment status accounted for 3% of the variance in clinical sleep disturbance as measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Adj

Summary

Introduction

Social connection and quality of social relationships are important determinants of mental and physical health (HoltLunstad, 2018; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010). Our understanding of underlying processes through which social relationship quality, such as support and strain, impacts physical and mental health remains limited. Identifying such mechanisms would allow researchers to refine current treatment protocols and develop more effective interventions. Social relationships may contribute to physical and mental health via sleep (e.g., Troxel et al, 2007). Transdiagnostic risk factor for a wide range of physical and mental health problems such as metabolic diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ADHD (Harvey, 2008; Irwin, 2015) and contributes to all-cause mortality (Irwin, 2015).

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