Full access
Clinical & Research News
Published Online: 1 June 2001

Sleep in America: National Survey Results

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 36, Number 11
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.36.11.0013a
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
The typical American adult sleeps seven hours or under on weeknights, at least an hour less than the eight hours sleep specialists say most people need to feel optimally rested and alert, according to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2001 survey, released in March.
More than one-fifth of the population reports that sleepiness interferes with activities several days a week, and most say they are resigned to this situation. Most adults try to catch up on weekends or days off, sleeping about an hour longer than usual then.
Four in 10 Americans report they work longer hours now than they did five years ago. Employed adults work 46 hours a week on average, although more than one-third report working 50 hours or more a week. More than half of American adults also say they spend less time having sex now than they did five years ago.
About half the population reports difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up earlier than desired, and waking feeling unrefreshed. Eight of 10 adults who reported suffering from depression said they slept poorly. Those working the longest hours are the most likely to report insomnia. Indeed, 20-somethings complained of insomnia more frequently than people aged 65 and over.
“Internet insomnia” may be a myth, however: under one-quarter of the population report using the Internet within an hour of bedtime. About 1 in 4 adults reports that “thinking about something” makes it hard to sleep a few nights a week.
About 38 percent of adults report being told that they snore, a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing, and 13 percent report symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Under 3 percent received treatment from a health professional for these problems.
More than half of the nation’s adults report they drove while drowsy in the past year. Nearly 1 in 5 admits to having dozed at the wheel, although only 1 in 100 reports having been involved in a crash.
More findings from this survey, based on a nationwide random sample of 1,004 persons aged 18 and over, may be found at the NSF Web site at www.sleepfoundation.org.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 36 • Number 11 • June 1, 2001
Pages: 13

History

Published online: 1 June 2001
Published in print: June 1, 2001

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.