Self-reported sleep duration was systematically overestimated by a mean of 97.9 minutes compared to actigraphy, with discrepancies associated with insomnia symptoms, time in the US, and poverty.
Cross-Sectional (n=819)
Working-age adults at the US-Mexico border systematically overestimate their sleep duration, particularly males and those with fewer insomnia symptoms or better perceived sleep quality.
p-value: p=< 0.0001
Abstract Introduction Sleep duration is a key health indicator. Subjective-objective discrepancies in sleep duration have been well-documented; however, little is known about the factors shaping these discrepancies among Hispanic/Latine populations. Understanding the sociocultural and behavioral factors is important for screening accuracy as well as useful in developing culturally tailored sleep health recommendations. Methods Data were collected from 819 working-age adults (age 25-60) living at the US-Mexico Border. Subjective sleep duration was assessed as self-reported typical sleep hours, converted to minutes. Objective sleep duration was assessed over a 2-week period using actigraphy (Mini-MotionLogger devices) scored according to published guidelines. Discrepancy was operationalized as subjective – objective. Potential correlates included age, gender, education level, financial status, years living in the US, language of assessment, Anglo and Mexican acculturation, body mass index, apnea-hypopnea index (assessed using Embletta), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, Brief Index of Sleep Control (BRISC) score, PHQ9 depressions cale score, and GAD7 anxiety scale score. Linear regression analyses were adjusted for age and gender. A forward stepwise analysis was used to generate a parsimonious model. Results Self-reported sleep duration was systematically greater than actigraphic measurement with a mean discrepancy of 97.9 minutes (SD=210.1) and median discrepancy of 41.3 minutes (IQR=-24.2, 133.0). Adjusted analyses showed that subjective overestimate was associated with being male (B=38.5), lower PSQI (B=-5.8), lower ISI (B=-5.9), and greater perceived control (B=17.5). A stepwise model was significant (p 0.0001) and included only (in order) ISI score (B=-5.1), being in the US 20 years (B=-36.4), PSQI score (B=-5.5), and poverty (B=55.7). Conclusion Adults in this US-Mexico border sample overestimated their sleep duration relative to actigraphy. This was especially true among those with fewer insomnia symptoms, better perceived sleep quality, higher perceived control, as well as males. Discrepancies in sleep duration were also shaped by socioeconomic context and acculturation. Together, these findings highlight the need for culturally informed assessment strategies and targeted efforts that aim to reduce sleep-related disparities in Hispanic/Latine communities. Support (if any) R01MD011600, R01MH135978
Tung et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Sleep duration discrepancy (n=819). Self-reported sleep duration vs. Actigraphy (objective sleep duration) was evaluated on Subjective-objective discrepancy in sleep duration (minutes) (p=< 0.0001). Self-reported sleep duration was systematically overestimated by a mean of 97.9 minutes compared to actigraphy, with discrepancies associated with insomnia symptoms, time in the US, and poverty.