Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Relationships and Sleep in Emerging Adults

Publication Date

11-24-2025

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Abigail Heller

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Sleep is important for physical and mental health, especially for adolescents and emerging adults. Sleep disturbances are defined as any disruptions or alterations of normal sleep patterns (Buysse et al., 1989). Research has shown that healthy relationships (including those involving secure attachment) relate to better sleep quality (Gunn, 2019). Attachment is defined as a deep and enduring emotional bond with another, and is categorized into three categories: Closeness (i.e., the level of comfort a person has with being close to others), dependability (i.e., the extent a person feels they can depend on others) and a lack of attachment anxiety (i.e., the extent someone worries about being unloved or rejected; Alexander, R., Feeney, J., Hohaus, L., & Noller, P. (2001). This study aimed to examine how attachment factors that affect one’s relationships relate to sleep disturbances in emerging adults. In this study, emerging adults recruited via Prolific (N = 46; Mage = 24.24) filled out a survey on Qualtrics that measured demographics, sleep disturbances, and the three components of attachment (closeness, dependability, and anxiety). Results indicated that neither closeness nor dependability were related to sleep disturbances. However, scoring higher on attachment anxiety was related to greater sleep disturbances. Understanding how attachment styles can affect sleep disturbances in adolescents can allow them to better understand themselves, as well as allow them to potentially fix any sleep disturbances through altering their views on attachment.

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