Perceived sleep quality, coping behavior, and associations with major depression among older adults

J Health Psychol. 2021 Sep;26(11):1913-1925. doi: 10.1177/1359105319891650. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Abstract

In older adults, we determined (1) the association of perceived sleep quality with stress-coping behaviors (drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, medication/drug use, overeating, prayer, exercise, social support, and treatment from a health professional) and (2) whether coping behavior mediated the relationship of perceived sleep quality with depression. Data came from the US Health and Retirement Study 2008-2010 (n = 1174). Using logistic regression, poor perceived sleep quality was associated with medication/drug use (odds ratio = 2.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-6.0) and overeating (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-2.5). However, using structural equation modeling, coping behavior did not mediate the relationship of perceived sleep quality with depression symptomology (p = 0.14).

Keywords: coping; depression; older person; sleep; stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major*
  • Humans
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / epidemiology