The Experiences and Determinants of Sleep Problems of Immigrant and Canadian-Born Older Adults—Analysis of Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Baseline Data

Abstract

Background

Although prevalent, limited knowledge is available on the experience of sleep problems (i.e., disturbance in sleep latency and in sleep maintenance) and their determinants in immigrant older adults.

Purpose

To compare immigrant and Canadian-born older adults’ experiences of: 1) sleep problems, 2) determinants of sleep problems, categorized into precipitating and perpetuating factors, and 3) determinants most significantly contributing to each sleep problem.

Methods

Baseline data obtained by the comprehensive cohort of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were analyzed. Participants 55+ years of age and with complete data on their country of birth comprised the sample, with 18,245 Canadian-born and 4,257 immigrant older adults. Single or multiple items were used to assess the precipitating (chronic condition, sleep disorders, pain, depressive symptoms, psychological distress, education, marital and socio-economic status) and perpetuating (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity) factors. Chi-square test and independent sample t-test were used in the comparison and multiple regression was applied to determine the most significant determinant of each sleep problem in each group of older adults.

Results

Despite differences in a few determinants of sleep problems, the set of factors contributing to disturbance in sleep latency and maintenance was comparable for Canadian-born and immigrant older adults, and included: having a sleep disorder and high level of depressive symptoms and psychological distress.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of public health campaigns to increase older adults’ awareness of sleep problems, the factors that may contribute to disturbance in sleep, and strategies to prevent and/or manage sleep problems.