A sleep questionnaire (SQ) was administered to a sample of 80 Mexican American and 80 Anglo elderly, ages 60 to 96. The two samples were equated on sex, age, and occupational level. Analysis of the 18 SQ scales indicated that twelve showed statistically significant differences between ethnic groups, and six between sexes. The Mexican American sample reported a poorer quality and longer latency of sleep, greater negative affect concerning dreams, longer sleep duration, less dream recall and vividness, more regularity of sleep, and more positive valence towards sleep. Females, more than males, characterized themselves as light sleepers, reported less positive quality and a longer latency of sleep, and endorsed items that reflect security, routine and privacy.
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