Passion for an activity: a new predictor of sleep quality

Study objectives: The present research examines the relationship between people's frequent involvement in an activity they like and find important (i.e., a passion) and the quality of their sleep. Research on the dualistic model of passion has widely documented the relationship between individuals' type of passion-harmonious versus obsessive-and the quality of their mental and physical health. However, research has yet to examine the relationship between passion and sleep quality. Building on prior research has shown that obsessive (vs harmonious) passion is related to depressive mood symptoms-an important factor associated with sleep problems-we hypothesized that obsessive passion would be associated with overall worse sleep quality, whereas harmonious passion would predict better sleep quality.

Methods: A sample of 1,506 Americans filled out an online questionnaire on sleep habits and passion. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Hierarchical linear regressions and mediation analyses were carried out with results confirming our hypotheses.

Results: Obsessive passion for an activity was associated with worse sleep quality, whereas harmonious passion was associated with better sleep quality, adjusting for demographics, the type of passionate activity and its self-reported importance, alcohol and tobacco consumption, BMI, self-reported health, and diagnosed health conditions. The relationship between both types of passion and sleep quality was mediated by depressive mood symptoms.

Conclusions: Our study presents evidence of a strong relationship between sleep quality and passion, opening the door for future research to create new interventions to improve people's sleep and, consequently, their well-being.