0288 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN METACOGNITIVE BELIEFS AND SLEEP QUALITY IN OLDER ADULTS

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2017-04, Vol.40 (suppl_1), p.A106-A106
• Main Authors: Sella, E, Cellini, N, Miola, L, Sarlo, M, Borella, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Insomnia; Metacognition; Older people; Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleepj/zsx050.287

Abstract Introduction: Numerous structural and physiological changes influence the quality of sleep in aging. Sleep is also influenced by the individual’s perceived quality of sleep, the dysfunctional beliefs, and the metacognitive beliefs about sleep as well as the nighttime thought management strategies. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between dysfunctional beliefs, metacognitive beliefs about sleep, thoughts control strategies, and quality of sleep in elderly people. Methods: Fifty Italian healthy older adults (33 females) aged between 56 and 86 (M=70.40; SD=7.43) participated in the study. During 7 consecutive days, they completed different questionnaires on the quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), dysfunctional beliefs (Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep), metacognitive beliefs (Metacognition Questionnaire Insomnia) about sleep, and thoughts control strategies related to sleep (Thought Control Questionnaire Insomnia-revised). Furthermore, during the 7 days, they also wore an actigraphic device (Actiwatch-64) to record objectives measure of sleep, such as sleep onset latency. Results: The results showed that the age per se did not influence the quality of sleep. Also, dysfunctional beliefs were not significantly associated with reported quality of sleep. In contrast, metacognitive beliefs were positively related to worse sleep quality and with the frequency of thoughts control strategies (such as aggressive suppression, reappraisal, social avoidance, and worries). The strategies of cognitive and behavioral distraction were found to be negatively associated with a worse sleep quality. Lastly, sleep onset latency, measured through the actigraphic device, was not related to metacognitive beliefs and nighttime strategies. Conclusion: Overall the present findings highlight the role of cognitive aspects, in particular, the metacognitive beliefs, on the perceived quality of sleep in older adults. In this view, addressing these metacognitive beliefs may be a suitable intervention for improving sleep quality in older adults. Support (If Any): N/A.