Short Sleep Duration and Insomnia Symptoms were Associated with Lower Happiness Levels in Chinese Adults in Hong Kong

Sheng Zhi Zhao, Man Ping Wang, Kasisomayajula Viswanath, Agnes Lai, Daniel Yee Tak Fong, Chia-Chin Lin, Sophia Siu-Chee Chan and Tai Hing Lam
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Sheng Zhi Zhao: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Man Ping Wang: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Kasisomayajula Viswanath: Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Agnes Lai: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Daniel Yee Tak Fong: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Chia-Chin Lin: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Sophia Siu-Chee Chan: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
Tai Hing Lam: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Study objective : To examine the association of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with happiness. Methods : A random sample of 1691 Chinese adult (mean age 54 ± 20.1, male 51%) were interviewed in a population-based telephone survey. Happiness was measured by the subjective happiness scale (SHS) and the one-item global happiness index (GHI). Information on sleep included mean past seven-day sleep duration (<6 h, ≥6 to <8 h and ≥8 h) and insomnia symptoms: Difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty in maintaining sleep (DMS), and early morning awakening (EMA). Adjusted beta-coefficient (β) of SHS and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of GHI in relation to sleep problems were calculated. Interaction effects by age (18–65 vs. ≥65) and by sex were assessed. Results : Compared to ≥8 h of sleep, having <6 h of sleep had lower SHS (adjusted β −0.32, 95% CI −0.46 to −0.17) and GHI (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.78). The associations were stronger in younger adults and in women ( p < 0.05). DIS, DMS, and EMA were associated with lower SHS (adjusted β ranged from −0.20 to −0.06) and GHI (aOR ranged from 0.57 to 0.89). Dose-response association between the number of insomnia symptoms and lower SHS was observed ( p < 0.001). These associations were generally stronger in older adults and among women. Conclusions : Lower levels of happiness were observed, particularly in younger adults and females with short sleep duration and older adults and females with insomnia symptoms. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand the mechanisms between sleep and happiness.

Keywords: sleep problems; subjective well-being; life satisfaction; Chinese; public health; population study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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