Publications by authors named "Wendy A Finck"
Background: Insomnia is a risk factor for affective disorders. This study examined whether individuals with insomnia symptoms early in the pandemic, either pre-existing or new-onset, were more vulnerable to anxiety and depressive symptoms over time than those who maintained normal sleep. Additionally, sleep-related factors such as pre-sleep arousal were assessed for their influence on clinically significant anxiety and depression risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Stress is a common precipitant of acute insomnia; however, reducing stress during times of crisis is challenging. This study aimed to determine which modifiable factors, beyond stress, were associated with acute insomnia during a major crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants/methods: A global online survey assessed sleep/circadian, stress, mental health, and lifestyle factors between April-May 2020.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare stress, anxiety, and depression levels among individuals with pre-existing insomnia, post-pandemic insomnia, and those with no insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- It surveyed 2,724 participants from 67 countries, finding that both types of insomnia were linked to higher mental health issues compared to non-insomniacs, particularly noting severe levels in those with new insomnia after the pandemic.
- The findings suggest that addressing insomnia should be a key part of public health strategies to improve mental health outcomes during such crises.