Care recipients and caregivers share similar stressors and living environments and may thus present concordance in health-related outcomes, yet their sleep interdependence remains understudied. This study examined sleep interdependence among care dyads. Longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving were analyzed, including 2,204 dyads (2015 baseline; 2017 follow-up). Sleep disruptions were assessed as trouble falling back asleep. Cross-lagged panel models examined concurrent/longitudinal sleep interdependence; multiple group analyses ascertained whether the relationships differed by caregiving contexts (dementia/non-dementia) and living arrangements (co-residing/living apart). A stable actor effect emerged: Care recipients' and caregivers' sleep disruptions in 2015 predicted their own sleep disruptions in 2017. No cross-lagged partner effects were significant (p > .05). There was a significant synchronous partner effect in 2017 (β = 0.118, 95% CI = 0.048, 0.187). These relationships remained significant for dementia-care and co-residing dyads but not for non-dementia or living-apart care dyads. This first longitudinal dyadic study identified sleep interdependence among care dyads, highlighting the importance of early intervention to reduce sleep disruptions. Targeted support for dementia caregivers and co-residing dyads is critical. Sleep hygiene interventions should leverage the interconnectedness of sleep within caregiving relationships.
Kong et al. (Tue,) studied this question.