Sleep Disturbance, Mental Health Symptoms, and Quality of Life: A Structural Equation Model Assessing Aspects of Caregiver Burden.

Objectives: The present study sought to examine the association between sleep disturbance, mental health symptoms, and quality of life among informal caregivers. The study also aimed to assess whether greater caregiver demands (i.e., hours spent providing care per week) altered the associations between these physical and mental health outcomes.

Methods: 530 informal caregivers participated in an online study of sleep and health across the lifespan. Sleep disturbance was assessed via the Insomnia Severity Index and RU-SATED. Mental health was measured using the PHQ-2, GAD-2, and the PANAS. Quality of life was assessed via the Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Results: Results revealed an indirect association between sleep disturbance and quality of life via increased mental health symptoms (β = -.21, p =.001). This indirect association was moderated by caregiver demands (β =.33, p =.002), with higher caregiving demands increasing the association between sleep disturbance and quality of life.

Conclusions: Findings highlight the adverse outcomes associated with sleep disturbance among caregivers and suggest that higher caregiving demands increases the effect of sleep disturbance on quality of life.

Clinical implications: Increased caregiving is associated with adverse physical and mental health consequences. Assessing and treating sleep disturbance among caregivers is needed and may lead to improvements in mental health and quality of life.