Sleep disturbance among Chinese breast cancer survivors living in the USA.

PURPOSE: Emerging evidence suggests Chinese breast cancer survivors, a largely understudied population, are at increased risk of sleep disturbance which can have significant impacts on quality of life and other important outcomes. This study aims to describe sleep disturbance among Chinese breast cancer survivors and to examine demographic and clinical correlates as well as psychosocial correlates of sleep disturbance.

METHODS

Data from 80 Chinese breast cancer survivors in the USA completed the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as well as measures of quality of life, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress. Participants also completed measures of demographic factors and acculturation.

RESULTS

Two thirds (66%) of survivors experienced elevated sleep disturbance. Approximately half (49%) reported sleep efficiency, the percentage of time in bed that is spent asleep, that was below the recommended cutoff. Compared to those without sleep disturbance, those with sleep disturbance had worse quality of life, more depressive symptoms, and more perceived stress (ps ≤ .01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is among the first to examine sleep disturbance among any Asian cancer population in the USA. Findings indicate Chinese breast cancer survivors may experience significant disparities in sleep disturbance relative to non-Hispanic Whites and suggest an urgent need for interventions to address sleep disturbance among Chinese breast cancer survivors.