ABSTRACT
Objectives
The present study sought to examine the association between sleep disturbance, mental health symptoms, and quality of life among informal caregivers. The study also aimed to assess whether greater caregiver demands (i.e., hours spent providing care per week) altered the associations between these physical and mental health outcomes.
Methods
530 informal caregivers participated in an online study of sleep and health across the lifespan. Sleep disturbance was assessed via the Insomnia Severity Index and RU-SATED. Mental health was measured using the PHQ-2, GAD-2, and the PANAS. Quality of life was assessed via the Satisfaction with Life Scale.
Results
Results revealed an indirect association between sleep disturbance and quality of life via increased mental health symptoms (β = −.21, p =.001). This indirect association was moderated by caregiver demands (β =.33, p =.002), with higher caregiving demands increasing the association between sleep disturbance and quality of life.
Conclusions
Findings highlight the adverse outcomes associated with sleep disturbance among caregivers and suggest that higher caregiving demands increases the effect of sleep disturbance on quality of life.
Clinical Implications
Increased caregiving is associated with adverse physical and mental health consequences. Assessing and treating sleep disturbance among caregivers is needed and may lead to improvements in mental health and quality of life.
Acknowledgments
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K23AG049955 (PI: Dzierzewski).
Clinical implications
Sleep disturbance among informal caregivers is common and associated with adverse consequences suggesting that interventions targeting sleep disturbance in caregivers are warranted.
Patients with greater caregiving demands would benefit from increased screening for concerns related to sleep and mental health.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.