Modelling the relationship between poor sleep and problem anger in veterans: A dynamic structural equation modelling approach.

Objective: Problem anger and poor sleep are common, particularly in military and veteran populations, but the nature of the relationship is poorly understood, and treatment approaches would benefit from improved understanding of how these constructs interact. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is suitable for monitoring day-to-day fluctuations in symptoms, and modelling dynamic relationships between variables.

Methods: This study aimed to examine these fluctuations and relationships involving sleep quality and anger experiences among veterans. A sample of n = 60 veterans with problem anger as assessed by the recommended cut off on the Dimensions of Anger Reactions 5 scale (DAR-5) completed daily assessments of sleep quality and four times daily assessments of anger frequency, over a 10-day period.

Results: A Dynamic Structural Equation Model (DESM) estimated and revealed a unidirectional relationship across daily measurements, in that previous night poor sleep quality was associated with more frequent anger on the next day (φASi Estimate -0.791, one-tailed p = .075), but not the reverse.

Conclusions: These are the first longitudinal, naturalistic findings in relation to anger and sleep in a sample self-identifying with significant anger problems. The observed patterns point to the need for further research on mechanisms underpinning this relationship, and raises potential for early intervention for problem anger to include a focus on improving sleep quality.