Understanding the sleep-aggression relationship in a forensic mental health sample.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the role of cognition in the sleep-aggression relationship and test the feasibility of a mindfulness-based cognitive approach to improve sleep and reduce aggression.
Results Summary
The studies collectively demonstrated the importance of cognitive factors in the sleep-aggression relationship, with mindfulness being one of the interventions tested in a feasibility trial. The results suggested a need for further research to fully account for cognitive influences, as outlined in the proposed CoSMASH model.
Population
Adult male forensic patients detained in a high secure hospital.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness (cognitive approach) | neutral | sleep | 48 patients randomly assigned as part of a feasibility trial | - | designed to impact on sleep | #1 |
sleep education | neutral | sleep | 48 patients randomly assigned as part of a feasibility trial | - | designed to impact on sleep | #2 |
cognitive approach | neutral | sleep-aggression relationship | adult male forensic patients detained in a high secure hospital | - | demonstrated the multifaceted nature of cognition in the sleep-aggression relationship | #3 |
The contribution of cognition to the sleep-aggression relationship is explored via three connected studies, involving adult male forensic patients detained in a high secure hospital. Study 1 included 31 patients, interviewed to examine their experiences of specific sleep problems. In Study 2, 42 patients completed a series of measures examining sleep dysfunction, aggression, and cognition, while Study 3 was designed to impact on sleep via a cognitive approach. In the latter, 48 patients were randomly assigned as part of a feasibility trial to one of three conditions: mindfulness (cognitive approach), sleep education, and treatment as usual. Collectively, the studies demonstrated the multifaceted nature of cognition in the sleep-aggression relationship, with a need to account fully for cognitive factors. A preliminary conceptual model is outlined - the Cognitive Sleep Model for Aggression and Self Harm (CoSMASH), as a direction for future research to consider.