Subjective Sleep Quality of Isolated Sleep Paralysis: Fear Parameters and Psychosocial Correlates

Subjective Sleep Quality of Isolated Sleep Paralysis: Fear Parameters and Psychosocial Correlates by Yudyahn Kushkituah MS, Walden University, 2006 BA, City College, CUNY, 1979 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Psychology Walden University May 2019 Abstract The bidirectional link between insufficient sleep and the distress related to a parasomnia known as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) might lead to chronic health effects. The impact of fear-ridden hallucinations related to this REM sleep disorder can be both distressful and embarrassing for individuals often resulting in a reticence to seek help. This quantitative study was guided by a biopsychosocial approach with an integrated theoretical framework. One aim of the study was to determine if fear parameters of ISP (low and high) differ when considering psychosocial factors and sleep quality, based on the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep Scale, the Social Phobia Inventory, the Locus of Control (LOC) subscales, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory. Predictive associations between psychosocial factors and subjective sleep quality (SSQ) were also investigated. Retrospective online data from a sample of 159 participants ages 18 and over were analyzed via MANOVA, multiple regression, and independent samples t-tests. Findings from the MANOVA were significant and showed that participants who experience ISP with more fear scored higher on two measures, external other LOC and social phobia. The MANOVA regarding differences in SSQ in relation to psychosocial variables were not significant, and independent sample t-tests did not differentiate fear parameters for DBAS and SSQ (poor sleep was found for both parameters). Providers of therapeutic treatments should take factors of social phobia and external other LOC into account with regards to poor sleep quality for those distressed by ISP. Sleep quality assessments might benefit those who are afraid to disclose about ISP sleep distress, as long term poor sleep can place some at risk for negative health outcomes.The bidirectional link between insufficient sleep and the distress related to a parasomnia known as isolated sleep paralysis (ISP) might lead to chronic health effects. The impact of fear-ridden hallucinations related to this REM sleep disorder can be both distressful and embarrassing for individuals often resulting in a reticence to seek help. This quantitative study was guided by a biopsychosocial approach with an integrated theoretical framework. One aim of the study was to determine if fear parameters of ISP (low and high) differ when considering psychosocial factors and sleep quality, based on the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep Scale, the Social Phobia Inventory, the Locus of Control (LOC) subscales, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory. Predictive associations between psychosocial factors and subjective sleep quality (SSQ) were also investigated. Retrospective online data from a sample of 159 participants ages 18 and over were analyzed via MANOVA, multiple regression, and independent samples t-tests. Findings from the MANOVA were significant and showed that participants who experience ISP with more fear scored higher on two measures, external other LOC and social phobia. The MANOVA regarding differences in SSQ in relation to psychosocial variables were not significant, and independent sample t-tests did not differentiate fear parameters for DBAS and SSQ (poor sleep was found for both parameters). Providers of therapeutic treatments should take factors of social phobia and external other LOC into account with regards to poor sleep quality for those distressed by ISP. Sleep quality assessments might benefit those who are afraid to disclose about ISP sleep distress, as long term poor sleep can place some at risk for negative health outcomes. Subjective Sleep Quality of Isolated Sleep Paralysis: Fear Parameters and Psychosocial Correlates by Yudyahn Kushkituah MS, Walden University, 2006 BA, City College, CUNY, 1979 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Psychology Walden University May 2019 Dedication To my dear children, my wonderful gifts of Light, Kaisim, Sunczerae, Yoshua, and Mishael, you are all such a tremendous blessing to me, please know that the energy of this effort belongs to you and it is infused with all my love! And to all my grandchildren, never forget that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to do. I am very grateful to all my family members in the higher realms my mom and dad, my soulmate Sel, and more recently my loving sister, who never failed to remind me to “get it done”. To my dear siblings and spiritual sister, many thanks for rooting from the sidelines, and don’t forget it’s never ever too late. Last but not least a great big Meow of love to my loving feline family, especially my 18year old papoose! Acknowledgments First and foremost, I am humbly grateful to the Great Creator who has graced me with the strength, endurance, and health to complete this endeavor. I also give my sincere appreciation to my Chair, Dr. Michael Durnam whose constant encouragement, motivation, and effective expertise, accompanied by a genuine and excellent spirit, has helped me tremendously on this journey. To Dr. Sandra Rasmussen, my committee member, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your wise guidance, inspiration, kindness, and unwavering confidence in me. And many thanks to my loving parents who instilled in me from a very early age the spirit of achievement. Much gratitude to all my wonderful adult children for their love, support, and their understanding of the time and effort it takes to bring a vision of heart to fruition.