Sleep latency versus shuteye latency: Prevalence, predictors and relation to insomnia symptoms in a representative sample of adults

Abstract

Shuteye latency (SEL) refers to the time spent performing activities in bed before attempting sleep. This study investigates (a) the prevalence, duration and predictors of SEL, (b) its association with insomnia symptoms (sleep onset latency [SOL], sleep quality and fatigue), and (c) the activities engaged in during SEL. A representative sample of 584 adults (18-96 years old) participated in an online survey. Respondents reported their SEL on weekday nights (Sunday to Thursday) and weekend nights (Friday and Saturday), and activities during SEL. One in five adults tried to sleep immediately at bedtime. Around 16% of respondents were awake >30 min on both weekday and weekend nights. Younger people and those with an eveningness preference reported longer SEL. Longer SEL corresponded with a progressive decline in sleep quality, increased SOL and more fatigue. Those with an SEL >30 min reported using both passive (e.g. television) and interactive (e.g. smartphone) media more frequently than respondents with an SEL < 30 min, but there was no difference between the groups for non-screen-related activities. Implications of SEL for measurements commonly used in sleep research are discussed. Shuteye latency may be symptomatic of how a modern lifestyle puts increasing pressure on sleep, but may also reveal a previously undocumented behaviour associated with insomnia symptoms.

Sleep in older adolescents. Results from a large cross‐sectional, population‐based study

“…Hence, SEL appeared to be the most important individual factor contributing to short school‐day sleep duration in the present sample. The long SEL found in the present study is in accordance with a previous report in young adults (Exelmans et al., 2018).…”

“…The validity of items on shuteye time and latency in survey studies has not yet been investigated. In the studies by Exelmans and colleagues, respondents were asked to estimate shuteye latency (Exelmans et al., 2018; Exelmans & Van den Bulck, 2017), whereas respondents in the present study were asked to estimate shuteye time. In order to address the reliability and validity of shuteye items (time and latency), we suggest validating these items against simultaneous objective sleep recordings.…”

Just One More Episode: Predictors of Procrastination with Television and Implications for Sleep Quality

“…Items (e.g., "When I watch television, I can easily envision the events in the story") 3 In addition to the data presented here, the survey also assessed additional variables addressing the effects of inbed media use on sleep latency. The respective findings are published in in Exelmans, Gradisar, and Van den Bulck (2018). As a pooled data collection was conducted for both studies, the methods sections of both publications show strong similarities.…”

Paternalism, Privacy, and Participation: Cell Phones on the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit

“…The use of WDs at night can interrupt sleep . Use of devices with a backlit screen can disrupt melatonin production and normal sleep cycle patterns .…”