StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
In the paper “Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” the author analyzes the fact that insomnia is directly related to lower educational attainment. This fact is revealed in the work of a team of researchers at the University of Memphis and published earlier this year in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.3% of users find it useful
Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia"

Sleeping Smart: An Analysis of “Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” by Les A. Gellis, et. al. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 2005, Vol. 114, No pp. 111 – 118 by Starlyn Harvey Prof. Luis Alvarez Starlyn Harvey Prof. Luis Alvarez November 22, 2005 Sleeping Smart: An Analysis of “Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” by Les A. Gellis, et. al. Chronic insomnia seems to be a badge of honor among students—so much so that their status among peers is determined in part by the amount of sleep lost in studying for an exam or hacking out a paper.

Though I had no hard data to support my belief, I had always assumed that insomnia was something of a hallmark of education and attainment—those with higher academic credentials or better-paying jobs would be more prone to sleep deprivation due to the pressure of their life situations. I was surprised, then, to uncover convincing research that not only disproves my assumption, but suggests that the opposite is true: insomnia is directly related to lower educational attainment. This fact is revealed in the work of a team of researchers at the University of Memphis and published earlier this year in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.

Their conclusion is that “[…] individuals of lower individual and household education were significantly more likely to experience insomnia […]” (“Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” 111) Building on research conducted in 1992 by Winkleby and others, the University of Memphis researchers accepted Winkleby’s view that education is the strongest single factor influencing socioeconomic status (SES). In summarizing the Winkleby study, Judith Stewart of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation stated: Using data on 2380 participants from a five city project, Winkleby, Jatulis, Frank & Fortmann (1992) examined the independent contribution of education, income, and occupation to a set of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including cigarette smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Their results showed that the relationship between SES measures and risk factors was strongest and most consistent for education. Higher risk was associated with lower levels of education. (Stewart 1) In seeking an explanation of just how a lack of educational attainment might exacerbate individuals’ difficulties sleeping, the University of Memphis researchers were less conclusive. While they suggested that an individual’s educational level “influences insomnia by guiding lifestyle behaviors associated with sleep,” (“Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” 116), they were reluctant to define just what those behaviors might be, suggesting, instead, that “A study focusing exclusively on less educated individuals with insomnia may produce greater clarity in identifying explanatory variables.

” (“Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia” 116) In considering the impact of this new research, it appears to me that most marketing of both prescription and over-the-counter sleep medications is targeted toward busy professionals with high-stress, white-collar jobs, whereas the socioeconomic group most in need of those medications would be blue-collar wage-earners. Those dispensing health care to persons of lower SES would do well to look for problems associated with sleep loss, including irritability, loss of mental clarity, on-the-job injuries, problems with appetite and digestion, as well as sexual dysfunction.

Without further research it is impossible to say just what variables cause these less-educated individuals to suffer a disproportionate incidence of insomnia. I’m just pleased to learn that I’ll sleep better when I’ve completed my degree! Works Cited Gellis, Les A. “Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia.” Journal of Abnormal Psychology Vol. 114, No. 1 (2005): 111-118 Stewart, Judith. “Educational Status” John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health.

August, 2001

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1”, n.d.)
Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1535409-socioeconomic-status-and-insomnia
(Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1)
Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1535409-socioeconomic-status-and-insomnia.
“Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words - 1”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1535409-socioeconomic-status-and-insomnia.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Socioeconomic Status and Insomnia

Sleep Disorders

In Europe, a large segment of elderly people develops sleep disorders including sleep apnoea and insomnia, which are more frequent.... The most ordinary sleep disorder in teenagers is insomnia, with occurrence ranging between 2.... The paper “Sleep Disorders” seeks to evaluate sleep disorders, which affect approximately one in seven Americans and this is possibly similar to other western nations....
7 Pages (1750 words) Assignment

Youthful Gangs in the UK

Development psychology Name: Institution: Abstract: Adolescents face numerous social problems including teen pregnancy, drug abuse and gang involvement.... One of the problem behaviors that are common among many adolescents in the United States is gang involvement.... hellip; Gangs are characterized by involvement in criminal and violent activities like drug trafficking and murder....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

It is used to measure traditional masculine or feminine roles prior to 1960 and it is related to intelligence, education, and socioeconomic status.... Hunt (2000) wanted to test that low iron status or other nutritional deficiencies are associated with symptoms of depression in premenopausal women of child bearing age.... The author associated the blood indices of iron status to scores on the MMPI and responses to a mood adjective checklist.... The results did not support the hypothesis of low iron status contributing to symptoms of depression in women....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Major Depressive Disorder

This essay "Major Depressive Disorder" investigates that depression (Major Depressive Disorder-MDD) is a high-impact disease, with a multi-factorial etiology, that causes severe debilitation of the individual, depriving him of a normal every day living.... hellip; Mary was a good pupil and she liked school....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Child Abuse and Neglect of Children With Disabilities

Examples of child abuse are mental abuse, sexual abuse, physical… This can be caused by stress, use of drugs, mental illness, family problems, psychological problem, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, caring of a child with a disability, among others.... This can be caused by stress, use of drugs, mental illness, family problems, psychological problem, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, caring of a child with a disability, among others.... arents with typically poor educational backgrounds or low achievements may physically abuse children because of high social stress and low socioeconomic status....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects of Health

My learning throughout the year assisted me in unerring sanguinity in the appreciation and value of nursing that each and every daily interaction enhances my experience.... In order practice the enthusiasm, all the students were asked to develop their role as a professional nurse… A nearby clinic was suitable as it would save travelling time....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Insomnia and Constipation in the Elderly patients

Fifth, the prevalence of insomnia is inversely related to socioeconomic status.... The "insomnia and Constipation in the Elderly Patients" paper contains factors that may contribute to insomnia and constipation in elderly patients.... The symptom of insomnia is defined as a complaint of difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleep that is nonrestorative.... nbsp; Epidemiological studies have confirmed a high prevalence of insomnia in older adults....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper

Risks Associated With the Use of Substances

This essay "Risks Associated With the Use of Substances" compares and contrasts the neuropharmacological basis for the risks associated with the use of cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis as they can cause deadly risks and side effects once taken continuously.... hellip; Cocaine, Ecstasy, Heroin and Cannabis cause significant adverse effects on the body's cells at the biomolecular level....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us