What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the impact of political violence on sleep health among U.S. adults, considering demographic differences.

May 10, 2026

0146 The Impact of Political Violence on Population Sleep Health in the United States: A Representative Survey from National Sleep Foundation

Key Points

This study aims to assess the impact of political violence on sleep health among U.S. adults, considering demographic differences.
Conducted a survey with a random sample of 1,448 American adults.
Assessed demographic information, sleep duration, and sleep quality using the Sleep Health Index.
Collected data through Ipsos Public Affairs in English or Spanish between September 17 and October 5, 2025.
Over 36% of U.S. adults reported negative sleep impacts from political violence.
Women, college-educated individuals, and less married adults were more likely to report negative effects (p<.01, p<.001).
Those reporting negative impacts indicated poorer sleep quality (M=3.22, SD=0.97) compared to those who did not (M=3.00, SD=1.06), t(1446)=3.92, p<.001.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Research supporting public sleep health and safety increasingly considers the effects of far-reaching and pivotal health, economic, cultural, and societal trends and events. Large-scale sociopolitical events, such as political violence, may adversely affect sleep health. However, most prior research has focused on civil protests or countries with high rates of political violence. The present study examined the impact of political violence on sleep in the United States in 2025, with attention to demographic differences and sleep outcomes. Methods The National Sleep Foundation conducted a survey of a random, nationally representative sample of 1,448 American adults. The survey, administered in English or Spanish by Ipsos Public Affairs through its KnowledgePanel®, included: (1) demographic information (age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, employment status, and household composition), (2) items assessing sleep duration and quality (rated from 1 = excellent to 5 = poor) from the Sleep Health Index, and (3) a single item asking, “Has political violence in the United States had a negative impact on your sleep?” Data collection occurred between September 17 and October 5, 2025. Results More than 36% of U.S. adults reported that political violence negatively impacted their sleep. Significant group differences were observed across sex, education, and marital status, with significantly more women (χ2 = 8.41, p .01), more college educated individuals (χ2 = 15.96, p .001), and less married adults (χ2 = 8.76, p .001) reporting a negative impact of political violence on their sleep. Adults who reported negative sleep impacts from political violence also reported poorer sleep quality (M = 3.22, SD = 0.97) compared to those who did not (M = 3.00, SD = 1.06), t(1446) = 3.92, p .001. Conclusion Major sociopolitical events can adversely affect sleep health, with certain demographic groups more vulnerable to these effects. More than one in three U.S. adults reported that political violence negatively impacted their sleep. Future research is needed to clarify the widespread consequences of disruptive and potentially deleterious large-scale societal events, including violent sociopolitical events, and to identify strategies for mitigating their impact on sleep health. Support (if any)

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark