Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated sleep problems. Pandemic-related lockdowns and drastic changes in daily life have disrupted sleep patterns, resulting in a marked increase in sleep disturbances.
Research questions: This study aims to investigate the primary factors contributing to the increase in sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. By utilizing nationally representative data encompassing various variables, this study seeks to identify COVID-19-related factors associated with sleep disturbances during the pandemic.
Method: We analyzed data from the nationally representative Korea Community Health Survey conducted in 2020, including 216,809 adults. Changes in daily life due to COVID-19 were assessed by asking participants to score their current situation compared to their pre-pandemic situation, ranging from 100 (no change) to 0 (complete cessation of daily activities). COVID-19 concerns were assessed with five questions: 1) fear of contracting the virus; 2) fear of mortality if infected; 3) fear of blame from others; 4) concerns about the health of vulnerable family members; and 5) concerns about economic impacts. Sleep disturbances were defined as sleeping 5 hours or less per night on average. Logistic regression analyses with a complex sample design were performed to examine the relationship between COVID-19-related factors and sleep disturbances, adjusting for socioeconomic and health-related variables.
Results: A high level of lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11–1.19) and high COVID-19 concerns (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) were associated with an increased likelihood of sleep disturbances. Conversely, resting during COVID-19 symptoms (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76–0.87), having support during quarantine (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.89–0.97), and trust in the government and neighbors (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89–0.96) were associated with a decreased likelihood of sleep disturbances.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic were mediated by lifestyle disruptions and high levels of concern. Social support and trust mitigated the impact of COVID-19-related risk factors. As part of preparedness, improving the environment to facilitate adequate rest during illness, ensuring strong social support, and fostering high levels of trust in the government and neighbors may be important to protect sleep health during future public health emergencies.