Poor sleep in people over age 50 is linked to more negative perceptions of aging, which in turn can impact physical, mental and cognitive health, researchers have found. Those who rated their sleep the worst also felt older, and perceived their own physical and mental aging more negatively.

Researchers surveyed 4,482 people (mean age, 66) who are participating in PROTECT, an online study in which participants take regular cognitive tests and complete lifestyle questionnaires. The study aims to understand what helps people stay cognitively healthy in later life.

The research team noticed that many PROTECT participants were commenting on their relationship with sleep as part of standard questionnaires within the study. Comments included: "How I feel fluctuates widely depending on my sleep. I feel great if I get six hours so about half the time I feel younger and half the time I feel older!" Another comment read: "I have chronic pain problems and get very little sleep which impacts on my life quite a lot."

As a result of such comments, the team conducted a questionnaire looking specifically at sleep. Participants were asked whether they had experienced a list of negative age-related changes, such as poorer memory, less energy, increased dependence on the help of others, decreased motivation, and having to limit their activities. They also rated their quality of sleep. The participants completed both questionnaires twice, one year apart.

The associations between sleep difficulties and negative perceptions of aging and functioning were small; nonetheless, the authors conclude, "Although subjective sleep difficulties are one of the many factors associated with awareness of negative age-related change, addressing sleep difficulties, alongside negative mood, and poor daily functioning, may promote a small additional increase in positive self-perceptions of aging.

To read the full article, published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, click here

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