New research suggests a surprising factor may be disrupting your sleep: your attachment style in relationships. A study published in the journal SLEEP found that relationship insecurity is linked to worse sleep, and poor sleep can increase feelings of jealousy.
Researchers studied 68 young adults who completed questionnaires about their sleep and relationships. Participants also provided daily self-reports for two weeks about their emotions and behaviors. The study focused on attachment style, which is a behavioral pattern in relationships. Anxious attachment is characterized by a deep fear of abandonment, leading to insecurity and a need for more validation.
The findings showed that anxious attachment can affect sleep quality. The study authors noted that sleep disturbances are connected to more envy and jealousy in social relationships, but only for people with higher trait relationship anxiety. The researchers said these results offer early evidence that sleep’s effect on emotions may differ based on attachment style. They added that people with insecure attachment may be most at risk for the social and emotional effects of poor sleep.
Study co-author Giovanni Alvarado explained in a news release that people with anxious attachment, or those who struggle with insecurity in relationships, may be especially vulnerable to feelings of envy and jealousy when they are sleep-deprived. He said this helps explain why some people have more difficulty navigating social situations when tired. The findings could lead to more targeted interventions that consider a person’s relationship style when addressing sleep issues.
For those with anxious attachment, experts say it is possible to work toward a more secure attachment style with help from a professional. Recognizing the attachment style and catching when it is triggered is an important first step. Developing secure attachment takes patience and mindfulness. The study also highlights the need for quality sleep. Basic sleep hygiene includes going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, keeping the bedroom cool and dark, and considering a sleep supplement.
The connection between relationship insecurity and sleep problems may not come as a surprise to those who experience it. Understanding this link can help people take new approaches to both their attachment style and their sleep. The study provides a clearer picture of how emotional factors in relationships can affect nightly rest.
