A COGNITIVE MODEL OF INSOMNIA

The frequency of poor sleep increases with age. Yet, not all poor sleepers complain of insomnia. Our Cog-nitive Model of Insomnia predicts that sleep complaints in poor sleepers are a function of negative thinking during nocturnal wakefulness. To test the Model, we examined thoughts of two large samples of older individuals. Results support the model: negative thoughts were closely related to poor sleep, distress about insomnia, and poor daytime psychological adjustment.The implications for therapeutic intervention are discussed.

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