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. 2023 Aug;24(3):451-462.
doi: 10.1007/s10339-023-01133-5. Epub 2023 Mar 23.

Relationship between self-reported sleep and cognitive function: a specification curve analysis

Jia-Jie Xu  1 , Guo-Jun Lin  1 , Fang Fang  2 , Jing Yu  3   4
Affiliations

Relationship between self-reported sleep and cognitive function: a specification curve analysis

Jia-Jie Xu et al. Cogn Process. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

The relationship between self-reported sleep and cognitive function is complex; it is unclear whether self-reported sleep is a robust correlate of people's cognitive function. We address this gap by using a comprehensive large-scale dataset (N = 1054) coupled with a novel modeling approach, specification curve analysis (SCA), to test the association between self-reported sleep and cognitive function. The results of the SCA showed robust correlations between self-reported sleep and cognitive function, with poorer sleep associated with worse cognitive function. Furthermore, the correlations between sleep components and cognitive function were heterogeneous, with differences emerging across cognitive measures and domains. Specifically, daytime dysfunction was associated with the strongest effect on subjective cognitive function, whereas sleep duration and sleep efficiency had the strongest effect on objective cognitive function. Therefore, the relationship between self-reported sleep and cognition depends largely on what and how cognitive function is measured. Our findings guide measurement and domain selection for future research on the role of sleep in cognitive function.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Correlates; Self-reported sleep; Specification curve analysis.

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