Prediction of Sleep Disorders Based on Psychological Distress, Meta-Worry, and Emotional Dysregulation in Adolescent Girls
Keywords:
sleep disorders, psychological distress, meta-worry, emotional dysregulationAbstract
Objective: The aim of the present study was to predict sleep disorders based on psychological distress, meta-worry, and emotional dysregulation in adolescent girls.
Methods and Materials: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all adolescent girls studying in upper secondary schools in Tehran during the first semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, totaling 87,222 individuals. Based on the rule of Tabachnick and Fidell (2007), a sample of 300 participants was considered and selected using a multistage cluster random sampling method. To collect data, the study employed the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire by Baisy et al. (1989), the Psychological Distress Scale by Lovibond and Lovibond (1995), the Meta-Worry Questionnaire by Wells (2005), and the Emotional Dysregulation Questionnaire by Børberg et al. (2016). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27.
Findings: The results of data analysis showed that 45.3% of the variance in sleep disorders was predicted by psychological distress, meta-worry, and emotional dysregulation. In addition, a positive and significant relationship was found between psychological distress and sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of 0.645. A negative and significant relationship was found between meta-worry and sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of -0.422. Furthermore, emotional dysregulation had a positive and significant relationship with sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of 0.576. Stress was positively and significantly associated with sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of 0.669. Anxiety also showed a positive and significant relationship with sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of 0.630. Finally, depression had a positive and significant relationship with sleep disorders, with an effect coefficient of 0.450.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that psychological distress, meta-worry, and emotional dysregulation play a significant role in predicting sleep disorders and explain a considerable portion of their variance. Therefore, interventions targeting these psychological variables may help improve sleep quality and enhance individuals’ mental health.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mahla Abidi (Author); Mansooreh Fazilati (Corresponding Author)
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