Anna F Johann1,2, Elisabeth Hertenstein1, Simon D Kyle3, Chiara Baglioni1, Bernd Feige1, Christoph Nissen1, Dieter Riemann1, Kai Spiegelhalder1. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany. 2. Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany. 3. Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES: Perfectionism has been suggested to represent a predisposing factor for poor sleep. However, previous studies have relied on self-reported measures. The association between perfectionism and poor sleep measured by polysomnography (PSG) warrants further investigation. METHODS: The current retrospective exploratory study used the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and PSG in an unselected sample of 334 consecutive sleep laboratory patients (140 males, 194 females, 44.6 ± 15.9 years). Data were analyzed using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: High levels of perfectionism were associated with PSG-determined markers of poor sleep in the first sleep laboratory night. The total Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale score was significantly associated with the number of nocturnal awakenings in the first sleep laboratory night. The subscales "concern over mistakes" and "personal standards" of perfectionism were significantly associated with markers of poor sleep. In contrast, there were only a few associations between perfectionism and PSG variables of the second sleep laboratory night. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of results suggests that high levels of perfectionism may predispose individuals to sleep disturbances in the context of acute stressors. Thus, the influence of perfectionism on poor sleep should be further investigated to improve treatment.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: Perfectionism has been suggested to represent a predisposing factor for poor sleep. However, previous studies have relied on self-reported measures. The association between perfectionism and poor sleep measured by polysomnography (PSG) warrants further investigation. METHODS: The current retrospective exploratory study used the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and PSG in an unselected sample of 334 consecutive sleep laboratory patients (140 males, 194 females, 44.6 ± 15.9 years). Data were analyzed using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: High levels of perfectionism were associated with PSG-determined markers of poor sleep in the first sleep laboratory night. The total Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale score was significantly associated with the number of nocturnal awakenings in the first sleep laboratory night. The subscales "concern over mistakes" and "personal standards" of perfectionism were significantly associated with markers of poor sleep. In contrast, there were only a few associations between perfectionism and PSG variables of the second sleep laboratory night. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of results suggests that high levels of perfectionism may predispose individuals to sleep disturbances in the context of acute stressors. Thus, the influence of perfectionism on poor sleep should be further investigated to improve treatment.
Authors: Julia A B Lindsay; Niall M McGowan; Nathan King; Daniel Rivera; Melanie Li; Jin Byun; Simone Cunningham; Kate E A Saunders; Anne Duffy Journal: BJPsych Open Date: 2022-04-19