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Higher average levels of pre-sleep cognitive arousal, rumination, and anticipatory stress are associated with poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration in emerging adults

In a 7-day smartphone-based diary study of 166 emerging adults (mean age 20.36 years, 80.1% female), higher between-person average levels of pre-sleep cognitive arousal, rumination, and anticipatory stress were associated with poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration. No significant associations were found for sleep onset latency, and within-person day-to-day variations in these cognitive processes were not related to next-morning sleep outcomes.

Last updated: Jul 20, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Understanding poor sleep in emerging adulthood: the role of pre-sleep cognitive processes in daily life.

observational

Ariu A, Meyer AH, Munsch S, Messerli-Bürgy N · Sleep advances : a journal of the Sleep Research Society (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 7 days
Intervention: Pre-sleep cognitive processes (cognitive arousal, rumination, anticipatory stress) measured via evening surveys
Outcome: Sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep onset latency (self-reported each morning)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 166 emerging adults (mean age 20.36 years, 80.1% female)

Result:

PubMed: 42438470DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpag057

Mechanism Graph

Pre-sleep cognitive processes (arousal, rumination, anticipatory stress) are measured as stable individual differences
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These processes are hypothesized to impair sleep via cognitive hyperarousal
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Between-person differences in these processes are linked to sleep quality and duration
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Result: Stable individual differences, not nightly fluctuations, predict poorer sleep

Limitations

  • ⚠Self-reported sleep outcomes may be subject to recall bias
  • ⚠Sample predominantly female (80.1%) and limited to emerging adults, reducing generalizability
  • ⚠Observational design cannot establish causality

Frequently Asked Questions

What pre-sleep cognitive processes were studied?▼

The study examined cognitive arousal, rumination, and anticipatory stress reported each evening before sleep.

Did nightly changes in these processes affect sleep?▼

No, within-person day-to-day variations in pre-sleep cognitive processes were not related to next-morning sleep outcomes.

What sleep outcomes were measured?▼

Sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep onset latency were assessed each morning via smartphone surveys.

Who was the study population?▼

The sample consisted of 166 emerging adults with a mean age of 20.36 years, 80.1% female.

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References

  1. 1.Ariu A, Meyer AH, Munsch S, Messerli-Bürgy N. "Understanding poor sleep in emerging adulthood: the role of pre-sleep cognitive processes in daily life.." Sleep advances : a journal of the Sleep Research Society, 2026. PMID: 42438470 DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpag057
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.