Carol Chu1, Melanie A Hom2, Austin J Gallyer2, Elizabeth A D Hammock2, Thomas E Joiner2. 1. Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Military Suicide Research Consortium / Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers, USA. Electronic address: carol_chu@fas.harvard.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Research suggests that insomnia is associated with elevated perceptions of loneliness and social disconnection; however, few quasi-experimental studies have tested the relationship between these constructs. This study examined whether insomnia symptom severity predicts changes in perceptions of interpersonal connectedness and desire for emotional support following in-laboratory participation in a social exclusion paradigm. METHODS: Young adults (N = 70) completed self-report measures assessing constructs of interest before and after engaging in a social exclusion paradigm (Cyberball). Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate whether baseline insomnia symptom severity predicted perceived burdensomeness, desire for emotional support, and thwarted belongingness after playing Cyberball; analyses controlled for baseline perceived burdensomeness, desire for emotional support, and thwarted belongingness, respectively, as well as baseline social anxiety and depression symptoms. RESULTS: Greater insomnia symptom severity significantly predicted greater feelings of perceived burdensomeness following Cyberball participation, beyond baseline perceived burdensomeness, social anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms (β= .24, p = .001). More severe insomnia symptoms also significantly predicted lower desire for emotional support after playing Cyberball, beyond baseline desire for emotional support and social anxiety symptoms (β= -.14, p = .03) but not beyond baseline depression symptoms (β= -.16, p = .07). Insomnia symptoms were not significantly associated with thwarted belongingness after Cyberball (β= -.05-.08, p = .27-.57). LIMITATIONS: Replication in larger samples and using other sleep disturbance indices is needed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that individuals with more severe insomnia symptoms in the past two weeks experience greater perceptions of being a burden on others and less desire for emotional support in response to social exclusion.
BACKGROUND: Research suggests that insomnia is associated with elevated perceptions of loneliness and social disconnection; however, few quasi-experimental studies have tested the relationship between these constructs. This study examined whether insomnia symptom severity predicts changes in perceptions of interpersonal connectedness and desire for emotional support following in-laboratory participation in a social exclusion paradigm. METHODS: Young adults (N = 70) completed self-report measures assessing constructs of interest before and after engaging in a social exclusion paradigm (Cyberball). Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate whether baseline insomnia symptom severity predicted perceived burdensomeness, desire for emotional support, and thwarted belongingness after playing Cyberball; analyses controlled for baseline perceived burdensomeness, desire for emotional support, and thwarted belongingness, respectively, as well as baseline social anxiety and depression symptoms. RESULTS: Greater insomnia symptom severity significantly predicted greater feelings of perceived burdensomeness following Cyberball participation, beyond baseline perceived burdensomeness, social anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms (β= .24, p = .001). More severe insomnia symptoms also significantly predicted lower desire for emotional support after playing Cyberball, beyond baseline desire for emotional support and social anxiety symptoms (β= -.14, p = .03) but not beyond baseline depression symptoms (β= -.16, p = .07). Insomnia symptoms were not significantly associated with thwarted belongingness after Cyberball (β= -.05-.08, p = .27-.57). LIMITATIONS: Replication in larger samples and using other sleep disturbance indices is needed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that individuals with more severe insomnia symptoms in the past two weeks experience greater perceptions of being a burden on others and less desire for emotional support in response to social exclusion.
Authors: Thomas L Rodebaugh; Carol M Woods; David M Thissen; Richard G Heimberg; Dianne L Chambless; Ronald M Rapee Journal: Psychol Assess Date: 2004-06
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