Loneliness Is Associated with Sleep Fragmentation in a Communal Society

Kurina LM; Knutson KL; Hawkley LC; Cacioppo JT; Lauderdale DS; Ober C. Loneliness is associated with sleep fragmentation in a com- munal society. SLEEP 2011;34(11):1519-1526.

"Perceived isolation, or loneliness, has been associated with increased blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease in women, and increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, and mortality". This group hypothesised that sleep, as a key restorative behavior, could be compromised by feelings of loneliness. They noted that compromised sleep—including short duration and poor quality sleep—had been linked with various health outcomes, including poorer metabolic function, increased cardiovascular risk, poorer self-rated health, and cognitive and behavioral impairments.

Actigraphic recordings provided evidence that those individuals who perceived themselves as less connected to others had more fragmented sleep.