Understanding Sleep Disturbance Due to Stressors: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Major societal stressors such as pandemics and economic crises can significantly disrupt individual well-being through altered sleep patterns. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to explore the underlying causes and consumption expressions of sleep disturbance during the COVID-19 lockdown. Based on qualitative responses from 59 participants, the findings reveal three core disturbance patterns: delayed sleep schedules, increased sleep duration, and sleep restriction. These shifts were associated with a combination of emotional arousal, cognitive overload, and disrupted routines. Two dominant types of pre-sleep thought processes—pressing and comforting—appear to influence sleep outcomes. Despite the availability of mindfulness and guided-meditation technologies, most participants did not adopt these tools, citing either skepticism or inertia. The proposed model highlights the interplay between personal traits, pre-sleep behavior, and stress responses in shaping sleep. The study offers implications for public health initiatives, suggesting that targeted and accessible interventions are needed to support sleep health during a major stressor.