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.
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.