Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep : results from a large community-based sample

Purpose: There is evidence that positive personality characteristics such as optimism and self-esteem are important for health. Less is known about possible determinants of positive personality characteristics. We therefore tested the relationship of optimism and self-esteem with insomnia symptoms and sleep duration. Method: Sleep parameters, optimism, and self-esteem were assessed by self-report in a community-based sample of 1805 adults aged between 30 and 84 years in the United States. Moderation of the relation between sleep and positive characteristics by gender and age as well as potential confounding of the association by depressive disorder was tested. Results: Individuals with insomnia symptoms scored lower on optimism and self-esteem largely independent of age and sex, and controlling for symptoms of depression and sleep duration. Short sleep duration (>6h) was related to lower optimism and self-esteem when compared to individuals sleeping 7-8 hours controlling depressive symptoms. Long sleep duration (<9h) was also related to low optimism and self-esteem independent of age and sex. Conclusion: Good and sufficient sleep is associated with positive personality characteristics. This relationship is independent of the association between poor sleep and depression.