Loneliness as a Mediator in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Multiple Sleep Problems: Evidence From the 2021/22 UK Household Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines whether loneliness mediates the association between food insecurity and multiple sleep problems.

Design

Quantitative, cross-sectional.

Setting

Data were drawn from the 2021/22 wave of the UK Household Longitudinal Study, which—for the first time in the main survey—included a validated measure of food insecurity.

Subjects

The analytic sample included 21,650 individuals aged 18 and older.

Measures

Sleep problems were assessed across six dimensions using items from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Loneliness was measured using the UCLA three-Item Loneliness Scale. Food insecurity was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Sociodemographic variables were included as covariates.

Analysis

Ordinary Least Squares and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between food insecurity and sleep outcomes. The Karlson-Holm-Breen method was employed to assess mediation by loneliness.

Results

Individuals experiencing food insecurity reported worse outcomes across all sleep problems compared to those without food insecurity (from b = .154, P < .001 for greater daytime dysfunction to b = .470, P < .001 for longer sleep latency; OR = 2.531, P < .001 for short sleep duration). Loneliness mediated all associations, explaining between 14.75% and 27.24% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Public health interventions that address both food insecurity and loneliness may help improve sleep health.

Keywords

food insecurity loneliness sleep sleep problems social determinants of health

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