Prevalence of poor sleep and associated factors in United Methodist clergy during the Covid-19 pandemic

Helping professionals, including clergy, experienced disproportionate sleep disturbance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other groups of helping professionals, little is known about sleep quality or predictors of poor sleep quality among clergy. This investigation sought to fill this important gap. This investigation was a secondary analysis of baseline data from the Selah trial, a preference-based, randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of stress management interventions delivered during the pandemic. Baseline data collection occurred between April 2020- October 2021. Lifestyle factors (e.g., physical activity), mental health outcomes (e.g., symptoms of anxiety and depression), stress (e.g., symptoms of stress), and sleep quality were measured using validated questionnaires. Poor sleepers were categorized using a global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score > 5. Logistic regressions were used to model predictors of good versus poor sleepers. Data were available from 286 clergy. Participants were on average 52.8 (SD 11.6) years of age. Approximately 66% of the sample was classified as poor sleepers. Compared to good sleepers (n=98), poor sleepers (n=188) reported significantly (p <0.05) more symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, greater perceived stress reactivity, and more difficulties with emotion regulation. Symptoms of depression (p<0.001), stress (p=0.017), and older age (p=0.002) were risk factors for being classified as a poor sleeper. A substantial portion of clergy likely experienced sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic and may benefit from an intervention incorporating elements of cognitive and behavioral therapy to improve sleep health. The Selah trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04625777.