Links between Savoring, Rumination, and Sleep-Related Experiences across Adulthood: Implications for Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Sleep problems are pervasive, particularly in older adults. Much work examines psychological factors that adversely affect sleep; fewer studies examine those with a positive effect. Savoring is a form of positive repetitive thought that is linked to several aspects of health but has been understudied in relation to sleep. We examined cross-sectional associations of both savoring and rumination with subjective sleep experiences, and assessed if these associations vary by age.

Methods

Adults and older adults (N = 216) ranging from 20–80 years in age (M = 44.9 ± 15.6 years) completed an online survey of validated measures of savoring, rumination, sleep disturbance, and sleep-related impairment.

Results

Higher levels of savoring were significantly associated with lower levels of sleep-related impairment but not sleep disturbance in regression analyses. Higher levels of rumination were significantly associated with higher levels of sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairment. Associations of savoring and rumination with sleep-related experiences did not vary by age.

Conclusions

Savoring and rumination are relevant to sleep-related experiences in adults ranging from younger to older. Further investigation of the potential positive impact of savoring on sleep-related experiences is needed.

Clinical Implications

Engagement in savoring and rumination should be considered when assessing sleep and sleep-related impairment in adults.

KEYWORDS:

• Sleep
• sleep disturbance
• sleep-related impairment
• savoring
• rumination
• adults
• older adults
• aging

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted at the University of Alabama. Writing of this manuscript was supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment and the VISN 4 MIRECC at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. This work is not subject to U.S. copyright as multiple authors of this manuscript are employees of the United States Government.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research described in this paper was supported by a Dissertation Research Award granted to the first author by the American Psychological Association. Writing of this manuscript was supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment and the VISN 4 MIRECC. Dr. Tighe is supported by Career Development/Capacity Building Award Number IK2 RX003393 from the United States (U.S.) Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation R&D (Rehab RD) Service; Preparation of this paper was also partially supported by a VA Rehabilitation R&D Career Development Award to Dr. Hilgeman [IK2RX001824].