Adults Sleep More Soundly When They Share Bed With A Partner: Study

According to the study, people who shared a bed with a partner most nights reported less severe insomnia, less fatigue, and more time asleep than those who said they never share a bed with a partner.

The study found that people who shared a bed with a partner fell asleep faster, stayed asleep longer, and had less risk of sleep apnea, which is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. | Representative Photo

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Adults who share a bed with a partner or spouse sleep more soundly than those who sleep alone, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Arizona. 

The research abstract was recently published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep. 

According to the study, people who shared a bed with a partner most nights reported less severe insomnia, less fatigue, and more time asleep than those who said they never share a bed with a partner. The people who shared a bed with a partner also fell asleep faster, stayed asleep longer, and had less risk of sleep apnea, which is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. 

Observations In People Who Sleep With Their Child

However, the people who slept with their child most nights reported greater insomnia severity, greater sleep apnea risk, and less control over their sleep, a statement released by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said.

How Does Sleeping With A Partner Help?

The study found that sleeping with a partner was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores, and greater social support and satisfaction with life and relationships. Meanwhile, sleeping with children was associated with more stress. 

The practice of sleeping alone was associated with higher depression scores, lower social support, and worse life and relationship satisfaction.

In the same statement, Brandon Fuentes, the lead author on the paper, said sleeping with a romantic partner or spouse shows to have great benefits on sleep health including reduced sleep apnea risk, sleep insomnia severity, and overall improvement in sleep quality.

Which Data Was Collected To Conduct The Study?

The data collected in the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study of 1,007 working age-adults from southeastern Pennsylvania was analysed as part of the study. Surveys were conducted to evaluate bed sharing, and common tools such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and STOP-BANG apnea score were used to assess sleep health factors.

Dr Michael Grandner, senior author on the paper, said very few research studies explore this, but the study findings suggest that whether we sleep alone or with a partner, family member, or pet may impact our sleep health.