Examining the sociocultural context of insomnia among Latinx adults: A three-paper dissertation

The purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to examine the influence of different social processes on insomnia symptoms among Latinx adults. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in an effort to adequately capture the complex ways in which these processes impact insomnia symptoms in this population. Given that insomnia is more prevalent among women than men and that previous studies suggest different gender patterns in the influence of social processes on mental health exist, each paper includes an exploratory aim that investigates potential gender differences in the associations it examines. Paper 1 uses thematic content analysis to explore how Latinx adults with chronic insomnia describe the social processes through which social ties impact their lived experience of insomnia. Paper 2 tests the independent and synergistic effects of family and friend social support and social strain on insomnia symptoms. Lastly, Paper 3 builds upon previous studies demonstrating a positive association between acculturation stress and insomnia symptoms among Latinx adults by examining two emotion-focused coping strategies (i.e., brooding and alcohol use) as potential mechanisms driving this association. Taken together, the findings from these three papers suggest there may be a need for mental health providers to evaluate and address social processes when diagnosing and treating insomnia among Latinx adults