Sleep Quality and Its Associated Factors in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies
Dublin Core
Title
Sleep Quality and Its Associated Factors in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies
Subject
Multidimensional factors; older adults; sleep quality; systematic review
Description
Background: Sleep quality is essential for overall health and well-being,
particularly in older adults who are at increased risk of sleep disturbances such as
insomnia and sleep apnea. Poor sleep is associated with declines in physical,
cognitive, and emotional functioning in aging populations. However, existing
reviews often focus on single domains, limiting understanding of how multiple
factors are jointly associated with sleep quality in older adults.
Purpose: This systematic review aimed to synthesize cross-sectional evidence on
factors associated with sleep quality in older adults.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and
BioMed Central (BMC) using combinations of the following terms: (“sleep quality”
OR “sleep disturbances”) AND (“older adults” OR “elderly”) AND (“factors” OR
“determinants”) AND (“cross-sectional”). Articles published between January 2020
and April 2025 were included. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and
study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Data
were synthesized narratively by grouping findings into key domains influencing
sleep quality.
Results: Nineteen cross-sectional studies were included. Sleep quality, most
commonly measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), varied widely
across studies (6%–79% poor sleep). The synthesis identified six domains of factors
associated with sleep quality: gender-related differences, physiological factors,
psychological factors, medical comorbidities, social-environmental conditions, and
lifestyle factors. Frequently reported factors associated with poor sleep included
female gender, frailty, depression, anxiety, multimorbidity, and low social support.
Considerable heterogeneity was observed in study populations and measurement
approaches.
Conclusion: Evidence from cross-sectional studies indicates multiple interacting
factors are associated with sleep quality in older adults; however, causal
relationships cannot be established. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify these
associations and support the development of integrated care strategies.
particularly in older adults who are at increased risk of sleep disturbances such as
insomnia and sleep apnea. Poor sleep is associated with declines in physical,
cognitive, and emotional functioning in aging populations. However, existing
reviews often focus on single domains, limiting understanding of how multiple
factors are jointly associated with sleep quality in older adults.
Purpose: This systematic review aimed to synthesize cross-sectional evidence on
factors associated with sleep quality in older adults.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and
BioMed Central (BMC) using combinations of the following terms: (“sleep quality”
OR “sleep disturbances”) AND (“older adults” OR “elderly”) AND (“factors” OR
“determinants”) AND (“cross-sectional”). Articles published between January 2020
and April 2025 were included. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and
study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Data
were synthesized narratively by grouping findings into key domains influencing
sleep quality.
Results: Nineteen cross-sectional studies were included. Sleep quality, most
commonly measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), varied widely
across studies (6%–79% poor sleep). The synthesis identified six domains of factors
associated with sleep quality: gender-related differences, physiological factors,
psychological factors, medical comorbidities, social-environmental conditions, and
lifestyle factors. Frequently reported factors associated with poor sleep included
female gender, frailty, depression, anxiety, multimorbidity, and low social support.
Considerable heterogeneity was observed in study populations and measurement
approaches.
Conclusion: Evidence from cross-sectional studies indicates multiple interacting
factors are associated with sleep quality in older adults; however, causal
relationships cannot be established. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify these
associations and support the development of integrated care strategies.
Creator
Indah Permata Sari1,2, Tita Hariyanti3, Retno Lestari4, Respati Suryanto Dradjat5,6
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i3.72365
Date
30 December 2025
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Indah Permata Sari1,2, Tita Hariyanti3, Retno Lestari4, Respati Suryanto Dradjat5,6, “Sleep Quality and Its Associated Factors in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11347.