Linking Sleep Disturbance and Maladaptive Repetitive Thought: The Role of Executive Function

Although sleep disturbance has been linked to maladaptive repetitive thought, a process commonly observed in anxiety and related disorders, the mechanism that may account for this association has not been fully elucidated. The current study used structural equation modeling to evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbance and maladaptive repetitive thought in a large sample (n = 341) to examine whether executive function partially accounts for this relationship. Consistent with predictions, results revealed that executive function accounted for the relationship between sleep disturbance and maladaptive repetitive thought. Furthermore, executive function was found to account for the relationship between sleep disturbance and maladaptive repetitive thought above and beyond the effect of general distress. These results were also found in gender-specific subsamples. The results of this study provide preliminary evidence to suggest that impaired executive function may be a unique mechanism that links sleep disturbance and maladaptive repetitive thought, such as worry and rumination, that is characteristic of anxiety and related disorders.