Sharpening our Understanding of the Consequences of Insomnia: The Relationship Between Insomnia and Everyday Cognitive Failures

Abstract

Previous research examining the link between insomnia and cognitive functioning is limited and mixed. The current study investigated this relationship using selfreport in a large sample of college undergraduate students (N = 941; 65% female, mean age of 20 years). Regression analyses revealed that insomnia severity predicted cognitive failures overall, as well as on each of four subscales of cognitive failures: memory, distractibility, blunder, and memory for names. Hierarchical regression further showed that the relationship between insomnia severity and cognitive failures was significant even after controlling for possible confounding variables of depression, negative affect, stress, and anxiety. Additionally, it was found that insomnia partially mediated the relationship between cognitive failures and depression, negative affect, and trait anxiety. Future work in this area would benefit from adding a measure such as ecological momentary assessment to expand on these findings. Possible limitations, explanations, and implications of the present study and future direction are discussed.

Role of Combat Exposure and Insomnia in Student Veterans’ Adaptation to College

“…However, most experts assume the majority of individuals have experienced symptoms of insomnia at least once over the lifespan (Kleitman, 1963). Although insomnia affects aspects of daily functioning such as daytime sleepiness and fatigue, concentration difficulties, work absenteeism, and increased accidents (Ohayon, Caulet, Philip, Guilleminault, & Priest, 1997;Wilkerson, Boals, & Taylor, 2011), insomnia has also been identified as both a predictor and outcome of other psychological disorders Ohayon et al, 1998;Taylor et al, 2005) and various medical conditions Taylor et al, 2007).…”

“…Although studies have found that sleep difficulties may contribute to poor academic performance (Becker, Adams, Orr, & Quilter, 2008;Trockel, Barnes, & Egget, 2000), research is scarce when it comes to specifically linking insomnia to academic performance. This is surprising considering the studies finding associations between insomnia, depression, and anxiety Taylor et al, 2005;Wilkerson et al, 2011), and research concerning depression, anxiety, and poor academic performance Brackney & Karabenick, 1995). However, Vincent, Oakley, Pohl, and Walker (2000) suggest that people with insomnia tend to be more perfectionistic, which may cause students with insomnia to work more carefully to overcome some of the negative effects their condition might have on academic performance.…”

The Role of Perceived Stress in Families of Patients with Hemophilia in Prediction of Cognitive Failures and Mental Health of Patients with Hemophilia

“…This concept refers to the fact that a person normally has the ability to do the job, but interfering with another task or a disrupting agent causes the person to act awkwardly and with difficulty (11). Cognitive failure is an influential variable in causing mental disorders in people (14), and due to the interference with daily activities, it can cause serious damage (15). Brantley & Joens (1989) showed that individuals, who assessed mild and moderate stressors as highly stressful, were more vulnerable to them, and they had little ability to deal with them (16).…”

A Case Study Tracking The Cognitive Impact Of Insomnia

“…In insomnia, physiological phenomena of increased autonomic activity, activation of neuroendocrine and neuroimmunological axes and increased fast frequencies {4} that both generate and sustain insomnia [4]. In measurements of cognitive functioning in everyday activities such as memory, distractibility blunder and memory for names, insomnia subjects [5]. An increase in insomnia symptoms is associated with an increase in cognitive failures in everyday events [5].…”

“…In measurements of cognitive functioning in everyday activities such as memory, distractibility blunder and memory for names, insomnia subjects [5]. An increase in insomnia symptoms is associated with an increase in cognitive failures in everyday events [5]. Some researchers have concluded that in addition to cognitive failures, slowed efforts by insomniacs reflects memory decrements secondary to the poor sleep quality [6].…”