This study emphasizes a robust relationship between inadequate sleep quality and psychological factors, with dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, stress, and anxiety all significantly associated with poorer sleep quality among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Married individuals were significantly less likely to experience anxiety compared to single individuals.
Older age was significantly associated with higher odds of dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
Older age was significantly associated with higher odds of poor sleep quality.
Higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep (DBAS) were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality.
Higher perceived stress levels were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality.
Higher anxiety levels were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality.
Demographic factors including age, gender, marital status, nationality, and employment were identified as substantial contributors to sleep outcomes.
This research studied 687 adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to understand how sleep quality relates to stress, anxiety, and beliefs about sleep. Participants completed five established questionnaires measuring life satisfaction, anxiety and depression, perceived stress, attitudes toward sleep, and overall sleep quality. The researchers found that psychological factors — particularly stress, anxiety, and unhelpful beliefs about sleep — were all independently linked to poorer sleep quality. For example, each additional point on the stress scale was associated with a 16% increase in the likelihood of poor sleep, and each additional unit of anxiety increased poor sleep odds by 14%. The study also found notable demographic patterns. Older adults, particularly those aged 61 and above, were dramatically more likely to report poor sleep quality compared to young adults aged 18–20 (more than 22 times the odds), and were also more likely to hold dysfunctional beliefs about sleep. Married individuals were significantly less likely to experience anxiety than single individuals, suggesting that relationship status may play a protective role in mental health outcomes related to sleep. This research suggests that sleep problems in adults are closely intertwined with psychological wellbeing, and that factors like age and marital status also play meaningful roles. The findings point to the importance of addressing stress and anxiety as part of efforts to improve sleep health, and highlight that older adults may be a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to sleep difficulties and unhelpful sleep-related thinking patterns.
Qutob R, Almutairi R, Alshamrani H, Aldawood A, Alsubaie K, Aldosari G, et al.. (2026). Assessment of sleep quality and its relationship with stress and anxiety, and attitudes toward sleep among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.. Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000047708