BACKGROUND: In the US, 66% of Latinos get less than 7 hours of sleep. Subsequently, short sleep duration has contributed to higher physical inactivity, depression, and stress. However, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep duration and physical activity and psychosocial outcomes, specifically among middle-aged Latinos. The objective of the present study is to examine sleep duration and its association with physical activity and psychosocial outcomes among middle-aged Latinos.

METHODS: A sample of 59 middle-aged Latinos (Mage= 58±8 years, 76.3% female; 58.8% received less than high school diploma) enrolled in a cross-sectional study where sleep, physical activity, and psychosocial outcomes were assessed. Participants self-reported sleep and were divided into two categories: <7 hours (short duration, n=34) or 7-8 hours of sleep (intermediate duration, n=25). Physical activity levels were assessed via accelerometry. The NIH Toolbox was used to assess the psychosocial outcomes of life satisfaction, loneliness, sadness, and stress. Descriptives and independent samples t-tests were conducted.

RESULTS: Independent samples T-test revealed that sadness (short duration, M= 16.10 ± 8.340 vs intermediate duration, M= 11.92 ± 3.475; t(41.99)= 2.343, p= .024) and life satisfaction (short duration, M= 21.88±6.971 vs intermediate duration, M= 26.16±5.178; t(57)= -2.586, p= .012; ) were significantly different between the short and intermediate duration sleep groups such that the intermediate sleep group reported lower levels of sadness and higher levels of life satisfaction. However, light intensity (p = .991), moderate to vigorous intensity (p = .152), sedentary time (p= .893), loneliness (p= .104), and stress (p = .096) showed no differences between sleep groups.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that intermediate sleep duration may have a positive impact on psychosocial outcomes, particularly on sadness and life satisfaction among middle-aged Latinos. Future research must be conducted to understand the impact of sleep and the potential bidirectional role it plays in physical activity and psychosocial outcomes.