The role of couple sleep concordance in sleep quality: Attachment as a moderator of associations

Taylor Elsey, Peggy S. Keller, Mona El-Sheikh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite most American adults sharing a bed with a romantic partner, sleep research has examined sleep primarily as an individual behaviour. A growing body of research indicates that couple bed sharing may have an impact on sleep quality, but the current study is the first to examine whether such associations may differ based on attachment security. A sample of 179 cohabiting heterosexual couples completed daily sleep diaries and surveys of their attachment security, avoidance and anxiety. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. Greater attachment security and lower attachment avoidance were associated with greater subjective sleep quality. Greater sleep concordance (time in bed with partners) was associated with better subjective sleep quality for women with lower attachment security and higher attachment avoidance. Findings suggest that couple bed sharing may benefit the subjective sleep quality of women who have lower attachment security.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12825
JournalJournal of Sleep Research
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding information This study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute awarded to Peggy S. Keller (PI) and Mona El-Sheikh (CO-I), R21 HD062833.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 European Sleep Research Society

Keywords

  • bed sharing
  • co-sleeping
  • romantic relationships
  • sex differences
  • vigilance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The role of couple sleep concordance in sleep quality: Attachment as a moderator of associations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this