Study of the Role of Sleep in Mental Health
Within the research lines of the Department of Human Sciences (DSU) of Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi, one area of focus concerns the study of the role of sleep in mental health across different contexts and populations (Still UP Research Group: STudying Insomnia in the LifeLength). This line of research combines activities related to:
- the study of psychophysiological factors that explain the strong link between sleep regulation, emotional processes, and mental health;
- research on the effectiveness of psychological interventions on sleep and on psychological variables related to well-being;
- the promotion of psychoeducational projects aimed at fostering good knowledge and management of sleep.
Some of the ongoing projects:
MOTHERS
Research project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research within the Projects of Relevant National Interest (PRIN, 2022). The study aims to promote sleep health in pregnant women, in order to prevent chronic effects on psychological well-being (peripartum depression) and on the intergenerational transmission of sleep difficulties.
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The study uses self-report, physiological measures (wrist actigraph to measure sleep and daytime activity), biological measures (salivary swabs to measure cortisol), and genetic measures (DNA methylation of certain genes associated with the stress response). The project has a longitudinal design, following women from the early months of pregnancy (within the 15th week) up to 6 months postpartum, collecting data on the women, their partners, and the newborn. Within the study, a psychoeducational program based on empirical evidence and the most recent guidelines is tested through a randomized controlled design. An Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) design is also used at three different stages of the study to collect individuals’ experiences in their daily life context.
Website: https://studiomothers.it
S.A.N.A.
The research project entitled: “SANA – Sleep and Nutrition in Adolescents: assessing and promoting sleep and nutrition health during adolescence through immersive, ecological, and sustainable digital technology” has been funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and the European Union (Next Generation EU) within the Projects of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) – Call 2022 PNRR, Prot. P2022C7XFJ.
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The aim of this project is to identify early and effectively any eating and/or sleep difficulties in adolescents aged between 14 and 17.
Participants will be asked to:
- use a free app to answer questions about their well-being, nutrition, and sleep at three different time points in the study (baseline, 3 months, and 6 months later);
- use the same app to answer very brief questions about sleep and nutrition quality multiple times a day, for 4 days;
- take part in a virtual reality study involving exposure to a kitchen and/or bedroom environment to assess possible eating and sleep difficulties and to help them overcome them.
R.E.S.T.
The REST project (Research and Education on Sleep for All) is aimed at children attending primary and lower secondary school, with the goal of promoting a culture of sleep health in both school and family contexts. The project includes several studies aimed at: assessing sleep health in school-age children and preadolescents through online questionnaires addressed to parents and children;
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understanding the social costs associated with poor sleep health, including emotional difficulties experienced by children and the costs for the family system in terms of school absences and medical visits; providing knowledge about sleep health to children, teachers, and parents through an educational module delivered in the classroom in collaboration with schools.