An interpersonal analysis of psychosocial stress and sleep

Psychosocial stress is strongly related to sleep disturbance; however, little is known about the specific interpersonal aspects of stress that are associated with sleep quality and presleep arousal (PSA). Structured interviews from 76 participants (53% female) about a recent stressful event were objectively coded for interpersonal patterns using Structural Analysis of Social Behavior. Sleep quality and PSA were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the presleep Arousal Scale. Stressor narratives characterized by higher trust in others were associated with lower overall PSQI scores, less daytime dysfunction, and shorter reported sleep onset latencies. Stressor narratives characterized by hostile distancing (i.e., isolation and withdrawal) were associated with higher cognitive PSA. Findings highlight the importance of perceived interpersonal safety versus threat in the context of stressful events and sleep quality.