Does a Pennebaker-like intervention reduce cognitive arousal and sleep onset latency in poor sleepers

Mooney, Patricia (2006) Does a Pennebaker-like intervention reduce cognitive arousal and sleep onset latency in poor sleepers. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The present study considered the role of pre sleep cognitive arousal, inhibition and suppression In sleep onset difficulties. The Pennebaker writing task, which promotes emotional processing by asking people to write about their deepest thoughts, worries, and emotions, has proven effective in several areas of health, including oncology and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Here, the paradigms ability to reduce pre sleep cognitive arousal and sleep onset latency in people with insomnia was tested. 28 people with insomnia were randomised to three nights of Pennebaker writing or a control condition, following a one night baseline. The outcomes of change over baseline at day 4 in pre sleep cognitive arousal and sleep onset latency were compared between groups using analysis of variance normal linear models (ANOVA). Writing significantly reduced pre sleep cognitive arousal according to one out of two measures but did not significantly reduce sleep onset latency. The implications and possible explanations of the results are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: Niall Broomfield
• Keywords: Clinical psychology
• Date of Award: 2006
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2006-74239
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• Last Modified: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74239