Family Health Stress and Insomnia Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Activity Engagement
2024

Family Health Stress and Insomnia Symptoms in Older Adults

Sample size: 9003 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Jang Jeein, Burr Jeffrey

Primary Institution: University of Massachusetts Boston

Hypothesis

Does family health stress contribute to insomnia symptoms in older adults, and can activity engagement moderate this relationship?

Conclusion

Older adults facing significant family health stress are more likely to experience severe insomnia symptoms, but engaging in activities can help reduce this effect.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older adults with 'somewhat upsetting' family health stress had 23% higher odds of severe insomnia symptoms.
  • Those with 'very upsetting' family health stress had 49% higher odds of severe insomnia symptoms.
  • Cognitive activities were the only type that moderated the relationship between family health stress and insomnia symptoms.

Takeaway

When older people worry about their family's health, they often have trouble sleeping, but doing activities can help them feel better.

Methodology

The study used ordered logistic regression models to analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study.

Participant Demographics

Older adults from the Health and Retirement Study.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2875

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication