Rumination Predicts Longer Sleep Onset Latency After an Acute Psychosocial Stressor

Abstract

The findings from this study are consistent with previous research linking rumination to subjective sleep quality. The results also suggest that post-stressor ruminative thought may predict delayed sleep onset for those with a propensity for rumination.

When Thinking Impairs Sleep: Trait, Daytime and Nighttime Repetitive Thinking in Insomnia

“…We found no relationship between trait rumination and trait worry and sleep impairment when controlling for age, depression, and anxiety. The finding that trait worry and rumination were unrelated to sleep continuity measures is in direct contrast with previous research (e.g., Harvey, 2000;Takano et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2003;Zoccola et al, 2009). However, as mentioned before, earlier studies were often done in student samples or used general sleep questionnaires.…”

“…The relationship between repetitive thinking and sleep problems has been supported by various studies over the past decades (Akerstedt, Kecklund, & Axelsson, 2007;Harvey, 2000;Kales et al, 1984;Takano, Iijima, & Tanno, 2012;Thomsen, Mehlsen, Christensen, & Zachariae, 2003;Watts, Coyle, & East, 1994;Zoccola, Dickerson, & Lam, 2009). However, researchers have frequently relied on student samples (Takano et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2003;Zoccola et al, 2009), used general insomnia questionnaires rather than diaries to assess sleep (Takano et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2003;Watts et al, 1994), or focused exclusively on the effects of either worry or rumination instead of comparing the effects of multiple types of repetitive thinking on sleep disturbance (Akerstedt et al, 2007;Harvey, 2000;Kales et al, 1984;Thomsen et al, 2003;Watts et al, 1994;Zoccola et al, 2007).…”

“…However, researchers have frequently relied on student samples (Takano et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2003;Zoccola et al, 2009), used general insomnia questionnaires rather than diaries to assess sleep (Takano et al, 2012;Thomsen et al, 2003;Watts et al, 1994), or focused exclusively on the effects of either worry or rumination instead of comparing the effects of multiple types of repetitive thinking on sleep disturbance (Akerstedt et al, 2007;Harvey, 2000;Kales et al, 1984;Thomsen et al, 2003;Watts et al, 1994;Zoccola et al, 2007).…”

Objective and Subjective Socioeconomic Gradients Exist for Sleep Quality, Sleep Latency, Sleep Duration, Weekend Oversleep, and Daytime Sleepiness in Adults

“…Perseverative cognition, including worry or rumination, may lead to difficulties initiating sleep (i.e., longer sleep latency), maintaining an adequate amount of sleep (i.e., sleep duration), and obtaining enough restorative sleep (i.e., sleep quality) to feel refreshed and energized upon awakening (i.e., daytime sleepiness; cf. Brosschot, Gerin, & Thayer, 2006;Pieper, Brosschot, van der Leeden, & Thayer, 2010;Zoccola, Dickerson, & Lam, 2009). Similarly, perseverative cognition has also been found to contribute to sleep disorders, particularly in insomnia (Morin, Vallières, & Ivers, 2007).…”

Exploring the relationship between work-related rumination, sleep quality, and work-related fatigue.

“…Furthermore, many researchers have found significant negative associations between self-reported rumination and sleep quality (Cropley et al, 2006;Thomsen, Mehlsen, Christensen, & Zachariae, 2003;Thomsen, Mehlsen, Hokland, Viidik, Olesen, Avlund, Munk, & Zachariae, 2004); and anticipative rumination has been found to be associated with both subjective and objective sleep measures . Experimental studies also provide support for an association between rumination and sleep; e.g., longer sleep onset latency has been observed in high trait ruminators (Zoccola, Dickerson, & Lam, 2009). …”