The Effects of Poor Sleep on Cognitive, Affective, and Physiological Responses to a Laboratory Stressor

Background

Recent research suggests that poor sleep may be associated with altered stress regulation.

Purpose

This study aims to examine the associations between prior-night and prior-month sleep measures and affective, cognitive, and physiological responses to a laboratory stressor.

Methods

Ninety-eight (50 % female) young adults completed measures of sleep quality in the context of a laboratory stress study. Measures included positive (PA) and negative affects (NA) and blood pressure (BP) reactivity, as well as change in pre-sleep arousal.

Results

Prior-month poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances predicted dampened BP reactivity. Both prior-night and prior-month sleep quality predicted greater decrease in PA. Sleep-associated monitoring predicted NA reactivity and prolonged cognitive and affective activation. Prior-month sleep continuity predicted greater cognitive pre-sleep arousal change, and prior-month sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, and disturbances predicted prolonged cognitive and affective activation.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that inadequate sleep confers vulnerability to poor cognitive, affective, and physiological responses to stress.