Reciprocal Effects Between Loneliness and Sleep Disturbances from Adolescence to Mid-Adulthood - The HUNT Study

Changes in loneliness and social isolation from adolescence to adulthood may predict sleep disturbances, showing the importance of early intervention for better sleep health in later life

Background: Adolescence is a formative period for social development, and experiences of loneliness and social isolation during this stage can have long-lasting consequences on mental and physical health. This study investigates how changes in loneliness and social isolation from adolescence to early adulthood predict changes in sleep disturbances from early adulthood to mid-adulthood. We also explore whether changes in social isolation moderate the association between loneliness and sleep disturbances.

Methods: Data for this study are drawn from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal cohort study in Norway with data collected over three time points: Young-HUNT1 (1995–1997), HUNT3 (2006–2008), and HUNT4 (2017–2019). Loneliness and social isolation were measured at Young-HUNT1 and HUNT3, while sleep disturbances were assessed at HUNT3 and HUNT4. Latent change score models and latent growth modeling within a structural equation modeling framework were used to examine changes in loneliness, social isolation, and sleep disturbances over time.

Expected results: Data analysis is still underway and the following hypotheses are being tested:

Main Effects-
1. Changes in loneliness from adolescence to early adulthood will predict changes in sleep disturbances from early adulthood to mid-adulthood. We expect greater increases in loneliness will be associated with worsening sleep quality.
2. Changes in social isolation from adolescence to early adulthood will predict changes in sleep disturbances. Increased social isolation is expected to be linked to more significant sleep disturbance in mid-adulthood.

Moderation:
3. Changes in social isolation will moderate the relationship between changes in loneliness and sleep disturbances, with a stronger association between loneliness and sleep disturbances in individuals experiencing greater increases in social isolation.

Conclusion: This study aims to provide insights into the longitudinal associations of loneliness and social isolation on sleep health, emphasizing the role of social connectedness during adolescence in predicting sleep disturbances in adulthood. The results will contribute to understanding how early interventions to address loneliness and social isolation may reduce the risk of sleep problems later in life, with implications for mental health promotion and prevention strategies.