Abstract
Previous research examining the link between insomnia and cognitive functioning is limited and mixed. The current study investigated
this relationship using self-report in a large sample of college undergraduate students (N = 941; 65% female, mean age of
20 years). Regression analyses revealed that insomnia severity predicted cognitive failures overall, as well as on each of
four subscales of cognitive failures: memory, distractibility, blunder, and memory for names. Hierarchical regression further
showed that the relationship between insomnia severity and cognitive failures was significant even after controlling for possible
confounding variables of depression, negative affect, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, it was found that insomnia partially
mediated the relationship between cognitive failures and depression, negative affect, and trait anxiety. Future work in this
area would benefit from adding a measure such as ecological momentary assessment to expand on these findings. Possible limitations,
explanations, and implications of the present study and future direction are discussed.
this relationship using self-report in a large sample of college undergraduate students (N = 941; 65% female, mean age of
20 years). Regression analyses revealed that insomnia severity predicted cognitive failures overall, as well as on each of
four subscales of cognitive failures: memory, distractibility, blunder, and memory for names. Hierarchical regression further
showed that the relationship between insomnia severity and cognitive failures was significant even after controlling for possible
confounding variables of depression, negative affect, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, it was found that insomnia partially
mediated the relationship between cognitive failures and depression, negative affect, and trait anxiety. Future work in this
area would benefit from adding a measure such as ecological momentary assessment to expand on these findings. Possible limitations,
explanations, and implications of the present study and future direction are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9418-3
- Authors
- Allison Wilkerson, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Box 311280, Denton, TX 76203, USA
- Adriel Boals, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Box 311280, Denton, TX 76203, USA
- Daniel J. Taylor, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Box 311280, Denton, TX 76203, USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916