Better Sleep Better Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

BACKGROUND: Older adults' psychological well-being is recognized as a public health issue, and many factors may influence it. However, the longitudinal association between sleep quality and psychological well-being among older adults remains insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between sleep quality and psychological well-being among Chinese older adults. METHODS: This study involved 2371 older adults aged 65 years and above who participated in all four waves (2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). A latent growth model (LGM) was used to examine the longitudinal association between sleep quality and psychological well-being among older adults. RESULTS: An unconditional quadratic growth curve model showed the best model fit. After controlling for time-invariant and time-varying covariates, better sleep quality was consistently associated with better psychological well-being among older adults (2008: β = 0.159, p < 0.001; 2011: β = 0.193, p < 0.001; 2014: β = 0.207, p < 0.001; 2018: β = 0.266, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that better sleep quality was longitudinally associated with better psychological well-being among Chinese older adults over time. The results suggest that enhanced sleep quality among older adults in China is strongly associated with improved psychological well-being.