Loneliness is indirectly associated with sleep disturbances through anxiety symptoms, but not through substance use coping, in adults from Mississippi coastal communities.
In a cross-sectional study of 310 adults (mean age 50.47 years, 53.3% female), loneliness was initially associated with sleep disturbances, but this direct association became non-significant when anxiety and substance use coping were included. A significant indirect effect was found: loneliness increased anxiety, which in turn increased sleep disturbances. Higher community resilience and social support were associated with lower loneliness.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Loneliness is indirectly associated with sleep disturbances through anxiety symptoms, but not through substance use coping, in adults from Mississippi coastal communities. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Loneliness is indirectly associated with sleep disturbances through anxiety symptoms, but not through substance use coping, in adults from Mississippi coastal communities.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Adults (mean age 50.47 years, SD=17.57; 53.3% female) from households between Interstate 10 and the Gulf of Mexico coastline in three Mississippi counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson)..
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸The Relationship Between Loneliness and Sleep Disturbances: The Roles of Community Resilience, Social Support, Anxiety, and Substance Use Coping. (International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Loneliness is associated with increased anxiety symptoms.
- ▸Increased anxiety symptoms are associated with higher sleep disturbances.
- ▸Loneliness is not directly associated with sleep disturbances after controlling for anxiety and substance use coping.
- ▸The indirect pathway through anxiety is significant, while the pathway through substance use coping is not.
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Adults (mean age 50.47 years, SD=17.57; 53.3% female) from households between Interstate 10 and the Gulf of Mexico coastline in three Mississippi counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson).
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference.
- ▸Self-report measures may introduce response bias.
- ▸Sample limited to a specific geographic region (Mississippi coastal counties), limiting generalizability.
- ▸No effect sizes or confidence intervals reported in the abstract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does loneliness directly cause sleep disturbances?▼
The study found that the direct association between loneliness and sleep disturbances was not significant after including anxiety and substance use coping, suggesting that anxiety mediates the relationship.
What role does anxiety play in the loneliness-sleep link?▼
Anxiety was a significant mediator: higher loneliness was associated with higher anxiety, which in turn was associated with more sleep disturbances.
Does substance use coping mediate the loneliness-sleep relationship?▼
No, the indirect effect through substance use coping was not statistically significant.
How do community resilience and social support relate to loneliness?▼
Higher levels of community resilience and social support were associated with lower levels of loneliness, suggesting they may be protective factors.
References
- 1.Choi HW, Brazeal M, Lee J. “The Relationship Between Loneliness and Sleep Disturbances: The Roles of Community Resilience, Social Support, Anxiety, and Substance Use Coping..” International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. PMID: 42652329 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph23081014