The relationship between sleep quality and quality of life in middle-aged and older inpatients with chronic diseases: Mediating role of frailty and moderating role of self-esteem

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of sleep quality on the quality of life in middle-aged and older inpatients with chronic diseases (MAOICDs) while examining the mediating role of frailty and the moderating role of self-esteem. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional design. Between October 2021 and February 2022, we administered questionnaires to 319 subjects at the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Province, China. The questionnaire consisted of the General Information Scale, the Cumulative Disease Rating Scale, the Sleep Quality Questionnaire, the Frailty Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software and PROCESS3.5 macros for descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and tests for mediating and moderating effects. RESULTS: The results of this study suggest that sleep quality is negatively related to quality of life and mediated by frailty. Self-esteem plays a moderating role in the relationship between frailty and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Frailty mediates the relationship between sleep quality and quality of life. Meanwhile, self-esteem plays a moderating role in the relationship between frailty and life quality. Specifically, the correlation between frailty and life quality becomes stronger at higher levels of self-esteem. Therefore, to improve the life quality of MAOICDs, interventions should focus not only on enhancing sleep quality and reducing frailty but also on helping patients maintain an appropriate level of self-esteem.