Sleep and well-being across the lifespan through educational insights into psychological and lifestyle factors

Abstract

<p>Aim of the study: Sleep plays a vital role in health and functioning, yet the relative contribution of psychological and lifestyle factors remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sleep parameters – duration, latency, bedtime, and wake-up time – considering gender, age, mood, personality, physical activity, and cognitive-emotional traits. </p> Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,140 adults (831 women, 309 men) aged 18 65+, who completed validated questionnaires assessing sleep patterns, mood (BRUMS), perceived stress, emotional intelligence, logic, empathy, Big Five personality traits, physical activity (MVPA), and BMI. </p> Results: Higher perceived stress was consistently associated with poorer sleep outcomes: longer latency, shorter duration, and later bedtimes (p < 0.01). Leisure-time MVPA predicted later bedtimes, whereas occupational MVPA and higher BMI were linked to shorter sleep duration (p < 0.05). Gender and age differences emerged: women reported more stress, emotional fatigue, and empathy (p < 0.001), while men showed higher vigor, self-rated health, and independent exercise. Older adults slept less and woke earlier (p < 0.001). Personality traits significantly contributed: neuroticism predicted longer latency and shorter duration, agreeableness was linked to better sleep quality, and conscientiousness to earlier wake-up times. In contrast, cognitive traits—logic, emotional intelligence, and empathy – were not significant predictors of sleep.</p> Conclusions: These findings suggest that sleep is more strongly shaped by stress, physical activity context, mood states, BMI, and personality than by cognitive-emotional capacities. Personalized interventions targeting stress regulation, lifestyle balance, and emotional well-being may be key for improving sleep, particularly in aging and high-stress populations. </p>