C O Airhihenbuwa1, J I Iwelunmor2, C J Ezepue3, N J Williams4, G Jean-Louis4. 1. Department of Biohehavioral Health, 219 Biobehavioral Health Building, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. Electronic address: aou@psu.edu. 2. Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. 3. Department of Neurology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. 4. Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to synthesize the literature on the cultural aspects of sleep and their relevance to behavioral sleep research. METHODS: A narrative synthesis of the existing literature on sleep was conducted with a focus on its biological, sociological, political, and anthropological aspects. This synthesis was guided by the PEN-3 cultural model, developed by the primary author. RESULTS: The findings highlight the cross-cultural contexts within which people sleep and the role of varied sleeping arrangements in influencing sleep behavior and perspectives. Furthermore, the contexts in which sleep occurs, coupled with the influence of the family, and the positive aspects of sleep helped illustrate why cultural aspects of sleep are vital for a broader understanding of sleep. DISCUSSION: The authors conclude by highlighting the need to integrate studies on the biological, sociological, and political aspects of sleep. Our examination of the literature strongly suggests that careful assessment of epidemiological and clinical sleep data should consider the cultural aspects of sleep as well as the context in which sleep occurs, the role of the family, and positive aspects of sleep.
AIM: The aim of this study was to synthesize the literature on the cultural aspects of sleep and their relevance to behavioral sleep research. METHODS: A narrative synthesis of the existing literature on sleep was conducted with a focus on its biological, sociological, political, and anthropological aspects. This synthesis was guided by the PEN-3 cultural model, developed by the primary author. RESULTS: The findings highlight the cross-cultural contexts within which people sleep and the role of varied sleeping arrangements in influencing sleep behavior and perspectives. Furthermore, the contexts in which sleep occurs, coupled with the influence of the family, and the positive aspects of sleep helped illustrate why cultural aspects of sleep are vital for a broader understanding of sleep. DISCUSSION: The authors conclude by highlighting the need to integrate studies on the biological, sociological, and political aspects of sleep. Our examination of the literature strongly suggests that careful assessment of epidemiological and clinical sleep data should consider the cultural aspects of sleep as well as the context in which sleep occurs, the role of the family, and positive aspects of sleep.
Authors: Chanel Zhan; Gabriela A Nagy; Jade Q Wu; Brian McCabe; Allison M Stafford; Rosa M Gonzalez-Guarda Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2022-03-15