Psychological and Demographic Predictors of Insomnia Severity: Evidence from a Community Sample in Ecuador

(1) Background: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders worldwide and a growing public health concern, yet the combined contribution of psychological and demographic factors remains understudied in Latin America. This study aimed to examine how perceived stress, generalized anxiety, and sociodemographic variables predict insomnia severity in Ecuadorian adults. (2) Methods: A community sample of 698 participants (31.7% men; M = 25.6 years, SD = 10.4) completed an online survey during nationwide electricity blackouts in 2024. Measures included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and a demographic questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to evaluate the relative contribution of predictors. (3) Results: Demographic variables (age, sex, employment status, and socioeconomic level) were not significant predictors of insomnia severity (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.007). Perceived stress strongly predicted insomnia (ΔR<sup>2</sup> = 0.207, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and generalized anxiety added further explanatory power (ΔR<sup>2</sup> = 0.074, <i>p</i> < 0.001), with both factors contributing independently (β ≈ 1.96 and β ≈ 2.67). Interaction effects with socioeconomic status were non-significant. (4) Conclusions: Psychological factors explained nearly one-third of the variance in insomnia severity, underscoring the importance of stress and anxiety as core predictors and supporting the need for integrated psychological interventions to improve sleep health in Ecuador.

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Publication Details

Journal
Behavioral Sciences
Published
2025-11-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111553
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Sleep and related disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.12
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article

Psychological and Demographic Predictors of Insomnia Severity: Evidence from a Community Sample in Ecuador

José Antonio Rodas, Elizabeth Terranova, Daniel Oleas, Nadia Soria-Miranda et al.
1 citations
Behavioral Sciences
Sleep and related disorders
2.12
article

Psychological and Demographic Predictors of Insomnia Severity: Evidence from a Community Sample in Ecuador

José Antonio Rodas, Elizabeth Terranova, Daniel Oleas, Nadia Soria-Miranda, Paula Alvarado-Zurita, Eduardo Briones
article en
1 citations

Abstract

(1) Background: Insomnia is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders worldwide and a growing public health concern, yet the combined contribution of psychological and demographic factors remains understudied in Latin America. This study aimed to examine how perceived stress, generalized anxiety, and sociodemographic variables predict insomnia severity in Ecuadorian adults. (2) Methods: A community sample of 698 participants (31.7% men; M = 25.6 years, SD = 10.4) completed an online survey during nationwide electricity blackouts in 2024. Measures included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and a demographic questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to evaluate the relative contribution of predictors. (3) Results: Demographic variables (age, sex, employment status, and socioeconomic level) were not significant predictors of insomnia severity (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.007). Perceived stress strongly predicted insomnia (ΔR<sup>2</sup> = 0.207, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and generalized anxiety added further explanatory power (ΔR<sup>2</sup> = 0.074, <i>p</i> < 0.001), with both factors contributing independently (β ≈ 1.96 and β ≈ 2.67). Interaction effects with socioeconomic status were non-significant. (4) Conclusions: Psychological factors explained nearly one-third of the variance in insomnia severity, underscoring the importance of stress and anxiety as core predictors and supporting the need for integrated psychological interventions to improve sleep health in Ecuador.

Behavioral SciencesVol. 15(11)
University College Dublin (IE), University of Guayaquil (EC), Universidad Espíritu Santo (EC), Universidad Ecotec (EC)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Sleep and related disorders
2.12
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