Gender differences in perpetuating factors, experience and management of chronic insomnia

ABSTRACT

The higher prevalence of insomnia in women has been attributed to biological factors, which are less likely than cognitive and behavioural factors to play a role in perpetuating insomnia. Gender differences in perpetuating factors have not been extensively examined. This study compared men’s and women’s self-reports of factors that perpetuate insomnia; experience of symptoms, perceived severity and impact on daytime functioning; and use of strategies to manage insomnia. Data were collected at baseline, using reliable and valid measures, in a project that evaluated behavioural therapies for insomnia. The sample (N = 739) consisted of women (62.4%) and men (37.6%). Gender differences were found in: (1) perpetuating factors: men took more naps and held more unhelpful beliefs about insomnia, whereas women experienced higher pre-sleep arousal; (2) perception of insomnia severity: higher among women; (3) perceived impact of insomnia: higher fatigue among women; and (4) use of strategies (higher in women) to manage insomnia. Gender differences were of a small size but could be associated with women’s stress, expression of somatic symptoms, and interest in maintaining their own health to meet multiple role demands.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic insomnia
• management
• perpetuating factors
• impact
• gender differences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research [NR05075].

Notes on contributors

Souraya Sidani

Dr Souraya Sidani is Professor and Canada Research Chair at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University. Her program of research focuses on evaluating interventions and advanced practice roles; examining patient preferences for treatments; and refining research methods and measures for determining the clinical effectiveness of interventions.

Sepali Guruge

Dr Sepali Guruge is a Professor and Research Chair in Urban Health at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, and co-leads the Nursing Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Ryerson University. Her program of research focuses on immigrant women’s health; violence against women throughout the migration process (i.e. pre-migration, border-crossing and post-migration contexts); and development of culturally acceptable interventions.

Mary Fox

Dr Mary Fox is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, a prior Ontario Ministry of Health Career Scientist and CIHR fellow and a current Ontario Ministry of Research & Innovation Early Researcher award recipient. Her programme of research involves the development of function-focused interprofessional interventions to improve outcomes during older adults’ hospitalization.

Laura Collins

Laura Collins is a Project Coordinator at the Health Interventions Research Center, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University. She has experience developing, coordinating and facilitating research studies in the fields of health, education and social services research. Her research areas of interest are behavioural and mind-body interventions to promote stress-reduction, health improvement and overall well-being.