Sleep disturbance mediates the link between both self-compassion and self-criticism and psychological distress during prolonged periods of stress
Journal article
Norton, David W., Modesto, Oscar, Bennett, Joanne M. and Fraser, Madeleine I.. (2023). Sleep disturbance mediates the link between both self-compassion and self-criticism and psychological distress during prolonged periods of stress. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12474
Authors | Norton, David W., Modesto, Oscar, Bennett, Joanne M. and Fraser, Madeleine I. |
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Abstract | Poor sleep and subsequent decline in mental health often occur during times of prolonged stress, such as a pandemic. Self-compassion is linked with improved sleep and better mental health, while self-criticism is linked with poorer sleep and psychological distress. Given there is little evidence of the interrelationships of these constructs, we examined whether higher self-compassion or lower levels of self-criticism can reduce psychological distress directly and indirectly via sleep during times of prolonged stress. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse two samples (N = 722, Study 1, and N = 622, Replication Study) of university students during different stages of the pandemic. An aggregate psychological distress construct was calculated using depression, anxiety and stress measures. We created models that showed insomnia symptoms mediated the relationship between self-compassion/self-criticism and psychological distress. Sleep partially mediated both relationships, and this was the strongest effect in both samples. This suggests that improving self-compassion and reducing self-criticism will improve sleep, leading to reduced psychological distress. As our findings are robust and held at two time points, future research should investigate broader demographics and differing stress responses. |
Keywords | insomnia; psychological distress; self-compassion; self-criticism; wellbeing |
Year | 2023 |
Journal | Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being |
Journal citation | pp. 1-19 |
Publisher | John Wiley & Sons Ltd |
ISSN | 1758-0854 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12474 |
PubMed ID | 37501499 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85165913057 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Page range | 1-19 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | In press |
Publication dates | |
Online | 27 Jul 2023 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 10 Jul 2023 |
Deposited | 05 Sep 2023 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8z959/sleep-disturbance-mediates-the-link-between-both-self-compassion-and-self-criticism-and-psychological-distress-during-prolonged-periods-of-stress
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Publisher's version
Norton_2023_Sleep_disturbance_mediates_the_link_between.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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