The Role of Fear of Loss of Vigilance and Reexperiencing in Insomnia Among Veterans

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between sleep fears and insomnia in veterans. Participants completed questionnaires assessing mental health, pain, insomnia, and sleep fears. Most veterans (84.54%) endorsed clinically significant insomnia. Veterans with a history of combat zone deployment and who screened positive for possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reported more insomnia symptoms, and both factors were associated with increased fear of reexperiencing and losing vigilance. Regression analyses indicated that fear of reexperiencing and losing vigilance were associated with insomnia severity, controlling for depression, pain, and possible PTSD. These results suggest the importance of assessing and targeting these cognitions when treating veterans with insomnia.

KEYWORDS:

• Veterans
• military
• sleep
• insomnia
• sleep vigilance
• sleep fears
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• combat experience
• depression
• pain

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Liz Courtney, who assisted with data collection and the formatting of this paper, and Patrick Sullivan, who assisted with rerunning data analyses in the revision process. This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.