An individual’s wealth and education level has a direct bearing on sleep
quality, according to the Aug 31 edition of PubMed, the journal of the
National Center for Biotechnology Information.
In the study conducted by researchers from Tufts, Princeton, the University
of Wisconsin and the Institute on Aging, ninety-four women aged 61 to 90,
had their socioeconomic status determined by pretax household income and
years of education.
Objective results of sleep hygiene were determined by the NightCap sleep
system while subjective data was gathered from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality
Index. Physical health was also factored into the tabulation of the
sleep scores by objective and anecdotal means as well a taking into account
any history of ailments and disease. The subjects’ mental health was based on
the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Neuroticism
subscale of the NEO Personality Inventory.
The results of the study suggest that that people with higher incomes
experience markedly better sleep quality than those with lower or
poverty-level incomes. However, the link between wealth and improved sleep
hygiene was not as clear once symptoms of neuroses and depression were
factored in.
To read the abstract, click here.
