Emotion Regulation Strategies as a Moderator Between Insomnia Severity and Bedtime Procrastination

Abstract

Background and Objective Bedtime procrastination, defined as the behavior of going to bed later than intended in the absence of external factors, has been associated with insomnia and emotion regulation. The present study aimed to explore the moderating effect of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between insomnia severity and bedtime procrastination. Methods This sample consisted of 374 adults (mean age 23.08 ± 2.17 years, 84.5% females). Participants completed the Bedtime Procrastination Scale, an Emotional Regulation Strategy checklist, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Results Bedtime procrastination was positively correlated with insomnia severity (r = 0.280, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with active coping (r = -0.148, p < 0.01). Insomnia severity was positively correlated with avoidance coping (r = 0.099, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with active coping (r = -0.170, p < 0.01) and support-seeking coping (r = -0.110, p < 0.05). There was a significant moderating effect of support-seeking coping in the relationship between insomnia and bedtime procrastination (B = 0.0165, 95% confidence interval = 0.0014–0.0316). Conclusions As a result of the present study, individuals using more support-seeking coping were more likely to delay bedtime as their insomnia symptoms became more severe. These findings suggest that support-seeking coping may be an important factor to consider in the clinical context of providing intervention for individuals with insomnia.

Keywords

• sleep
• emotional regulation
• procrastination