Mothers’ sleep deficits and cognitive performance: Moderation by stress and age

Abstract

There are well-known associations between stress, poor sleep, and cognitive deficits, but little is known about their interactive effects, which the present study explored in a sample of mothers of toddlers. Since certain types of cognitive decline start during the 20s and continue into later ages, we also explored whether mothers’ age interacted with stress and sleep in the prediction of cognitive functioning. We hypothesized that poorer sleep [measured using one week of 24-hour wrist actigraphy data] and having more chronic stressors [e.g., life events, household chaos, work/family role conflict] would be linked with poorer cognitive performance [both executive function and standardized cognitive ability tasks], and that the interactive combination of poorer sleep and more stressors would account for the effect. We also explored whether this process operated differently for younger versus older women. In a socioeconomically and geographically diverse community sample of 227 women with toddler-age children [age, M = 32.73 yrs, SD = 5.15 yrs], poorer cognitive performance was predicted by greater activity during the sleep period, shorter sleep duration, and lower night-to-night consistency in sleep; it was not associated with higher levels of stress. The interactive effects hypothesis was supported for sleep activity [fragmented sleep] and sleep timing [when mothers went to bed]. The combination of more exposure to stressors and frequent night waking was particularly deleterious for older women’s performance. For younger women, going to bed late was associated with poorer performance if they were experiencing high levels of stress; for those experiencing low levels of stress, going to bed late was associated with better performance.

Referral process to further evaluate poor sleep in breast cancer survivors

“…This finding is consistent with other reports that indicate that women often neglect their sleep health and do not seek treatment for it even when poor sleep interrupts their daily functioning 48–50 . Some experts suggest that women tend to see quality sleep as a luxury that is not prioritized because other responsibilities, such family caretaking, take precedence 49,51 . Our finding that some women did not see the need for sleep treatment because their sleep problems were “part of life” is consistent with other reports that BCS tend to normalize poor sleep as a common lifestyle problem 49 …”

“…[48][49][50] Some experts suggest that women tend to see quality sleep as a luxury that is not prioritized because other responsibilities, such family caretaking, take precedence. 49,51 Our finding that some women did not see the need for sleep treatment because their sleep problems were "part of life" is consistent with other reports that BCS tend to normalize poor sleep as a common lifestyle problem. 49 Our finding that some participants were concerned that sleep treatment was not covered by insurance or that they needed to save resources for other medical expenses that might come their way speaks to the concept of financial toxicity.…”

“… 48 , 49 , 50 Some experts suggest that women tend to see quality sleep as a luxury that is not prioritized because other responsibilities, such family caretaking, take precedence. 49 , 51 Our finding that some women did not see the need for sleep treatment because their sleep problems were “part of life” is consistent with other reports that BCS tend to normalize poor sleep as a common lifestyle problem. 49 …”

Dynamics of recovery sleep from chronic sleep restriction

“…Chronic sleep loss without adequate recovery sleep leads to what is referred to as “sleep debt” [ 10 , 11 ]. Sleep debt is common in many segments of society including new parents [ 12 ], shift workers [ 13 ], long-haul truck drivers [ 14 ], nurses [ 15 ], commercial pilots [ 16 ], and astronauts [ 17 ]. Chronic sleep loss is associated with behavioral risks that include increased errors, traffic accidents, injuries, poor team performance, and burnout [ 18 , 19 ].…”