Characteristics of Sleep Paralysis and Its Association with Anxiety Symptoms, Perceived Stress, PTSD, and Other Variables Related to Lifestyle in Selected High Stress Exposed Professions

Bibliographic Data

ID15470898
AuthorsPaulina Wróbel-Knybel (0000-0002-4741-5911, Medical University of Lublin, corresponding author), Michał Flis (0000-0002-4831-9091, Medical University of Lublin), Joanna Róg (0000-0003-4057-9507, Medical University of Lublin), Baland Jalal (0000-0002-0419-7336, Harvard University), Leszek Wołkowski (Medical University of Lublin), Hanna Karakuła‐Juchnowicz (0000-0002-5971-795X, Medical University of Lublin)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue13
Pages7821-7821
Publication date2022-06-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19137821
PMID35805480
OpenAlexW4283583512
LanguageEN
References cited59

Sleep paralysis (SP) is a hypnagogic or hypnopompic state associated with the inability to move while conscious. Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) is a type of REM parasomnia. Individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, PTSD, exposure to chronic stress, or shift work are at risk of developing this sleep disorder. This study aimed to assess: (1) the prevalence, frequency, and symptomatology of SP, and (2) the impact of the severity of anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and lifestyle mode variables on the frequency and severity of SP in four professional groups at high risk of SP ( n = 844): nurses and midwives ( n = 172), policemen ( n = 174), teachers ( n = 107), and a group of mixed professions-"other professions" ( n = 391). The study used a battery of online questionnaires: the Sociodemographic and Health Status Questionnaire, the SP-EPQ, the PCL -5, the STAI-T, the PSWQ and the PSS-10. The prevalence of SP was the lowest among policemen (15.5%) and the highest in the group of "other professions" (39.4%). The association of SP with symptoms of PTSD and anxiety was confirmed in the group of nurses and "other professions". Among other factors modulating the incidence and severity of SP were: age, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, and perceived stress. This study indicates that there exist links between SP and psychological and lifestyle factors, suggesting a complex etiology for this sleep disorder. Due to the high prevalence of SP in the studied groups of occupations, further research is necessary to develop preventive and therapeutic methods for SP

Anxiety · Association (psychology · Etiology · Insomnia · Parasomnia · Psychiatry · Sleep (system call · Sleep disorder · Sleep paralysis · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Sleep and related disorders · Sleep and Wakefulness Research · Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access