The Relationship Between Quality of Life and Quality of Sleep: The Chain Mediation Effects of Perceived Stress and Sleep Anxiety

Sleep problems are a major global public health issue. Numerous studies both domestically and internationally have extensively demonstrated the relationship between sleep quality and quality of life, but there is a lack of research on the reverse relationship between the two. Additionally, the mechanisms by which quality of life affects sleep quality are rarely studied. Considering these factors, this study aims to explore the relationship between quality of life and subjective sleep quality among the general adult population in China, and to examine the mediating roles of perceived stress and sleep anxiety in this relationship. The results indicate that: Quality of life is positively correlated with subjective sleep quality among the general adult population in China; perceived stress has an independent mediating effect on the relationship between quality of life and subjective sleep quality; sleep anxiety also independently mediates the relationship between quality of life and subjective sleep quality; perceived stress and sleep anxiety jointly mediate the relationship between quality of life and subjective sleep quality in a chain mediation model. These findings reveal the relationship between quality of life and subjective sleep quality among the general adult population in China and validate the mechanism involving quality of life, subjective sleep quality, perceived stress, and sleep anxiety. The results suggest that developing an acute awareness of perceived stress or reducing negative attention to one's sleep in daily life can enhance the beneficial impact of good quality of life on sleep quality.