0747 Tired and Lonely: An Exploration of Insomnia Symptoms and Loneliness Across the Adult Lifespan

Abstract Introduction Prior research has identified associations between poor sleep and loneliness; however, this research predominantly focused on a limited age range within adult populations. Very few studies have explored associations between insomnia symptoms (e.g., sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction) and loneliness and how age might influence these associations across the adult lifespan. As such, the present study evaluated the association between insomnia symptoms and loneliness across the adult lifespan. Methods This online study surveyed adults across the lifespan (N=2297, Mage=44 years, 49% female) with the Insomnia Severity Index and the Gierveld Loneliness scale. Correlation and linear regression analyses were utilized to examine direct associations between insomnia symptoms, age, and loneliness. The Gierveld Loneliness total score and subscales (emotional and social loneliness) were used to investigate if aspects of loneliness were differentially associated with insomnia symptoms. Moderation analyses examined if the association between insomnia symptoms and loneliness differed by age. Each loneliness outcome (i.e.,total, emotional, and social) was included in a separate moderation model, with insomnia symptoms, age, and their interaction as predictors. Results Greater insomnia severity and older age were both significantly associated with higher loneliness total and subscale scores (all p’s.05). Age significantly moderated the association between insomnia symptoms and total and emotional loneliness scores (b = -0.02, t = -2.30, p=.02; b = -0.002, t = -2.88, p=.004, respectively); but did not moderate the association between insomnia symptoms and social loneliness (b = -0.001, t = -1.25, p=.212). Specifically, the strength of the association between insomnia severity and loneliness differed by age, with older adults displaying weaker associations between insomnia symptoms and loneliness compared to younger ages. Conclusion Insomnia symptoms are associated with loneliness across the lifespan. However, age moderated this association such that in older age cohorts the link between insomnia symptoms and loneliness, while still significant, was weaker than in younger cohorts. Efforts aimed at reducing loneliness in older adults should incorporate components of evidence-based insomnia treatments. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, future research is needed to determine if lower levels of loneliness might be protective against developing insomnia in older adulthood. Support (if any) NIA - K23AG049955 (PI: Dzierzewski).