CITY LIGHTS OR COUNTRYSIDE NIGHTS? RURALITY’S ROLE ON ANXIETY AND SLEEP IN MID- TO LATE-LIFE
2024

The Impact of Rural Living on Anxiety and Sleep in Older Adults

Sample size: 251 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Amy Costa, Puja Halder, Christina McCrae, Ashley Curtis

Primary Institution: University of South Florida

Hypothesis

Does the level of rurality moderate the relationship between anxiety and sleep health in middle-aged and older adults?

Conclusion

Older adults living in rural areas may experience a stronger negative impact of anxiety on sleep compared to those in non-rural areas.

Supporting Evidence

  • Rurality moderated the association between anxiety and cognitive pre-sleep arousal.
  • Higher anxiety was associated with higher cognitive pre-sleep arousal in rural participants.
  • Higher anxiety was linked to more sleep disturbances for rural participants.

Takeaway

People who live in the countryside and feel anxious might have a harder time sleeping than those who live in the city.

Methodology

Participants completed an online survey measuring various factors related to anxiety and sleep health.

Potential Biases

Potential biases related to self-reported measures and the online survey format.

Limitations

The study may not account for all socioeconomic factors affecting health disparities.

Participant Demographics

Cognitively healthy middle-aged and older adults with an average age of 64.7 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1181

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication