Exploring Sleep Quality and Attitudes in Ageing Portuguese Population

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are prevalent among older adults, often due to natural physiological aging or various mental health factors, including beliefs and attitudes toward sleep. Despite this, the relationship between sleep quality and mental well-being in older populations remains underexplored. This study aims to examine the role of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep as predictors of poor sleep quality in Portuguese adults aged 50 and above.

The study included 125 Portuguese participants, aged 50 to 80 (M = 58.07, SD = 6.15).

Data were collected using the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS-16), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Work Health Questionnaire (WHQ), along with sociodemographic information. A self-report online survey was disseminated through social media between March and May 2024.

Findings indicate a significant association between negative beliefs about sleep, poor perceptions of health, and decreased sleep quality in adults over 50. These relationships intensify with age, suggesting that negative attitudes toward sleep may exacerbate sleep disturbances.

The results highlight the need to better understand the interplay between sleep beliefs, functional health, and sleep quality in older populations. Such understanding can inform the development of interventions to improve sleep literacy and overall well-being among older adults.