Examining social capital in relation to sleep duration, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness

Abstract

Objective Sleep, which plays an important role in health and well-being, is socially patterned such that certain demographic groups have worse sleep health than others. One possible mechanism driving sleep disparities is social capital. The current study examines the association between social capital and self-reported sleep variables (e.g., duration, insomnia symptoms, and daytime sleepiness) among a sample of 1,007 participants from the Sleep Health and Activity, Diet and Environment Study (SHADES). Methods Logistic regressions were used to estimate whether the sleep variables were associated with social capital measures. All models control for age, sex, race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic White, Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and multicultural/other), income, and education (less than high school, high school graduate, some college, and college graduate). Results Lower likelihood of membership in groups was seen for long sleepers (>9hrs, p-value<.05) and beliefs that neighbors rarely/never help each other was more likely among short sleepers (5-6hrs, p-value<.05), relative to 7-8 hour sleepers. A decreased sense of belonging was seen among short sleepers (5-6hrs, p-value<.05). Decreased likelihood of trust was reported by those with moderate-severe insomnia (p-value<.05). Similarly, neighborhood improvement efforts were less likely among individuals with moderate-tosevere insomnia (p-value<.05). Conclusions Results of our study show that short and long sleep duration, as well as insomnia, were inversely related to measures of social capital, such as group memberships and a sense of neighborhood belonging. Future research may explore the directionality of the relationship between social capital and sleep and perhaps consider future interventions to improve low social capital and/or poor sleep in community samples.

Social capital and sleep disorders in Tibet, China

“…Only family social capital and sleep disorders showed a significant negative association, and similar results also have been found in East Asia, including China [ 19 ], Japan [ 50 ] and South Korea [ 51 ]. A study conducted by Rebecca and colleagues in Philadelphia and neighboring counties in the United States found that poor sleep quality in adults (e.g., short or long sleep, moderate-to-severe insomnia) was associated with poor social capital (e.g., fewer group memberships, less neighborhood helping behavior, belonging, trust, and improvement) [ 1 ]. In Tibet, the traditional customs, family culture and religious characteristics are very unique, different from other places, which may the reasons for the association between family social capital and sleep disorders.…”

“…Sleep disorders refer to conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, or duration and impact one’s ability to properly function while awake, such as insomnia, insufficient sleep (≤6 h/day), and excessive sleep (≥9 h/day) [ 1 ]. The awareness of the importance of sleep disorders in one’s health and well-being has been increasing [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…According to the socioecological model of sleep health [ 16 ], sleep disorders are driven by multiple contextual factors [ 1 ]. Much attention has been given to social determinants as they are relatively easier to be intervened.…”

“…Much attention has been given to social determinants as they are relatively easier to be intervened. Social capital, embedded in the social fabric as an important social factor, is the network of social relations basing on social norms of trust and reciprocity that mobilize actors and coordinates and maintains their “field of presence” [ 17 ], which reflects the nature and quality of social connections among individuals in the community or social network [ 1 ]. According to the different scope and environment involved in the relationship network, it can be divided into family social capital and community and society social capital, which represent the resources obtained by individuals in the family or community and society, respectively [ 18 ].…”

Disparities in Sleep Health and Potential Intervention Models

“…intended to examine multiple aspects of aging in the United Statesliving in more disordered neighborhoods was associated with more difficulty falling asleep and more periods of being awake after going to sleep 24. Similarly, shorter sleep duration was associated with lower rated neighborhood trust and helping behavior among adults living in Philadelphia area communities 25. Incarcerated women reported poor sleep quality as measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index related to both perception of safety and the prison environment (noise, light, and uncomfortable bunks) 26.…”