Mental and spiritual health as correlates of sleep quality

Background. Sleep quality is associated with less daytime sleepiness, enhanced sense of well-being, optimal psychological functioning, and overall better health. Psychological distress can impede sleep onset and can have a subsequent indirect effect on sleep quality. Spiritual health has been hypothesized to interact with mental health functions and may impact sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to measure and model spiritual and psychological predictors of sleep quality. Methods. Based on a power analysis, a cross-sectional sample of 300 adults was sampled to build a model that could detect statistical significance at the 0.05 level. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI is a standardized instrument used to assess sleep quality and sleep disturbances in adults. Mental distress was measured by the Kessler-6 Psychological Distress Scale (K-6). Respondents were grouped into categories of low, moderate, and severe mental distress using established cut-off points. Spirituality was measured using the Beliefs and Values Scale (BVS).  The BVS is a multidimensional scale that measures spiritual belief regardless of religious belief or practice. Results. Model goodness-of-fit was evaluated against a priori indices of Chi-square test (p > 0.05), goodness-of-fit index (> .90), normed fit index (> .90), and root mean square error of approximation (< 0.05). Significant paths were found for all direct path coefficients. Conclusions. The findings of this study demonstrate stress management and spiritual development may influence sleep quality. Integrative health interventions that target spiritual growth and stress may assist in improving sleep quality.