Work, Leisure and Other (G-rated) Time Use before Bedtime in Working and Retired Persons

Paul Peppard, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lauren Hale, Stony Brook University, State University of New York (SUNY)
Erika Hagen, University of Wisconsin-Madison
F. Javier Nieto, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Christine Harden, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nicole Salzieder, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Many adults routinely experience insufficient sleep due to delayed bedtimes. We analyzed data from the REST (Retirement and Sleep Trajectories) Study to investigate bedtime delaying activities. This Wisconsin-based sample (n=1766, average age=63, 52% female) reported going to bed at 10:24 PM and slept 7.1 hours per night, on average. The most frequently reported bedtime delaying activities are watching television/movies at home (61%), reading for leisure (45%), computer use for leisure (29%), and social activities (31%). Significant predictors of bedtime delaying activities include: working, being female, more education, higher general health, and more depressive symptoms. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health variables, 7 activities were identified as significantly delaying bedtime. For example, computer use for leisure was associated with a 25 minute bedtime delay that was not fully compensated for by sleeping longer or napping. This research indicates that evening time-use patterns may be important determinants of sleep, and therefore health.