The Role of Social Networks in Sleep

The Swedish work force underwent dramatic changes during the economic crisis in the 1990s. In the aftermath, sick leave increased at an unprecedented rate and stress-related symptoms, such as sleep disturbances replaced earlier work-related diagnoses. Sleep is an important health factor but easily disturbed by cognitive, emotional, and physiological arousal (stress). Adequate social support has been shown to be a potent protector against the adverse effects of stress, whereas lack of social support may increase the risk for mental and physical ill-health. The purpose of this work was to investigate the association between social support and sleep. Using three large databases and epidemiological methods, this work, comprising four studies, shows that the individual's social network is a factor to consider in sleep. However, the relationship between networks and sleep is complex and involves both coping and gender. Moreover, disturbed sleep mediates the impact of a limited network on myocardial infarction, at least in women. The results are useful in mapping the causes and consequences of disturbed sleep which is a large public health issue in the Western world.