Affiliation:
1. University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Texas USA
2. University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston TX USA
3. Sodzo Kenya Maua, Meru KE
Abstract
SummarySleep quality is essential to biopsychosocial functioning, yet there remains limited longitudinal research on sleep and mental or social well‐being within low‐ or middle‐income countries. This study utilised longitudinal cohort data from a community‐based empowerment programme in Meru County, Kenya to assess cross‐lagged correlations between sleep disturbance, social support, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Participants (n = 373; 92% women; age range 18–86 years) who reported more sleep disturbance at T1 reported significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and significantly less social support at T2 (average 11 weeks later), controlling for all within‐time correlations across measures, within‐measure correlations across time, and sociodemographic background characteristics. The findings are consistent with research across high‐income countries, underscoring the need for more contextualised research into sleep behaviours across low‐ and middle‐income countries. The findings may inform interventions to increase mental and social well‐being within Kenya.
Funder
National Institute of Mental Health
Subject
Behavioral Neuroscience,Cognitive Neuroscience,General Medicine