LAUSR

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in adverse impacts on sleep for many people. The physical environment has been a focus for health-related behaviors during the pandemic since movement restrictions have led to a heightened awareness of the living environment. This study examined whether those whose physical environment was more disruptive to sleep systematically experienced more pandemic-related sleep problems. Methods A sample of N=419 US adults completed online surveys (mostly during the summer months) about sleep and COVID-19 experiences. Participants were asked the degree to which they endorsed statements that due to the pandemic, (1) they were able to keep a regular schedule, (2) they had more problems falling asleep, (3) they had more problems with nighttime awakenings, (4) they experienced more daytime sleepiness, and (5) they napped more. Sleep environment was assessed using the Assessment of Sleep Environment (ASE), a 13-item questionnaire that quantifies the degree to which sleep is disrupted environmental influences (scores range from 0-39). Ordinal logistic regression analyses, with degree of agreement with statements about changing sleep due to the pandemic as outcome, ASE score as independent variable, and age and sex as covariates. Results Worse sleep environment was associated with a decreased likelihood of being able to keep a regular schedule (oOR=0.96, p<0.04) and an increased likelihood of more problems falling asleep (oOR=1.04, p<0.02), problems with nighttime awakenings (oOR=1.03, p<0.02), daytime sleepiness (oOR=1.03, p<0.03), and napping (oOR=1.03, p<0.04). Post-hoc analyses examine contributions of individual items, and the one that was independently most associated with changes in sleep was sleeping environment being too warm. Conclusion Those with a more disruptive sleep environment experienced a greater degree of problematic sleep problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that these assessments largely took place in warmer months may explain why sleeping environments being “too warm” was especially salient. Support (if any) R01MD011600, R01DA051321