Relationship between stress coping and sleep disorders among the general Japanese population: a nationwide representative survey

• Published in: Sleep medicine 2017-09, Vol.37, p.38-45
• Main Authors: Otsuka, Yuichiro, Kaneita, Yoshitaka, Itani, Osamu, Nakagome, Sachi, Jike, Maki, Ohida, Takashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Japan - epidemiology; Japanese; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Problem Solving; Self Report; Sleep disorder; Sleep Wake Disorders - epidemiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - psychology; Stress; Stress coping; Stress, Psychological - complications; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1389-9457; 1878-5506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.06.007

To clarify the prevalence of stress, and examine the relationship between sleep disorders and stress coping strategies among highly stressed individuals in the general Japanese population. A cross-sectional nationwide survey was undertaken in November 2007. Men and women were randomly selected from 300 districts throughout Japan. Data from 7671 (3532 men (average age 53.5 ± 17.0 years) and 4139 women (average age 53.9 ± 17.7 years)) were analyzed. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on stress, sleep disorders, and stress coping strategies in the previous month. Highly stressed individuals comprised 16.6% (95% confidence interval 15.8–17.5%) of the total sample, and most were aged 20–49 years. In multiple logistic regression, symptoms of insomnia (ie, difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening), excessive daytime sleepiness, nightmares, daytime malfunction, and lack of rest due to sleep deprivation were more prone to occur in highly stressed individuals. In addition, logistic regression analysis controlling for other adjustment factors revealed that stress coping strategies such as ‘giving up on problem-solving’, ‘enduring problems patiently’, ‘smoking’ and ‘drinking alcohol’ were positively associated with the above-mentioned sleep disorders. On the other hand, stress coping strategies such as ‘exercising’, ‘enjoying hobbies’, and ‘sharing worries’ were inversely associated with the above-mentioned sleep disorders. Distraction-based stress coping (eg, hobbies, exercise, and optimistic thinking) was found to be preferable to problem-based stress coping in a highly stressed Japanese general population. •The study examined stress coping strategies for sleep disorders in highly stressed people.•People who felt high levels of stress were more prone to sleep disorders.•Distraction-based coping was preferable in a highly stressed Japanese population.•The results should provide important data for programs to improve sleep disorders.