Journal article
Sleep problems and depression among single parents in Ghana: the mediating role of anxiety symptoms
Current psychology, Vol.First online
27/09/2025
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Sleep problems and depression are prevalent and co-exist in vulnerable populations. While studies estimating their association among single parents are scarce, the mechanisms explaining the association remains largely unknown. We examine how anxiety symptoms mediates the association of sleep problems with depression among single parents in Ghana. Cross-sectional data from 627 single parents recruited using a multi-stage stratified sampling were analyzed. Sleep problems were defined using nocturnal and daytime sleep architecture over the past seven days while depression was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Multivariable OLS models and bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed. The control variables included age, sex, residential type, education, personal income, and alcohol intake, and physical activity, while anxiety symptoms were considered potential mediator. The mean age (SD) was 45.0 (14.7) years, and 67.3% were females. After adjustment, sleep problems (B = 0.840, 95% CI = 0.470 - 1.210) and anxiety symptoms (B = 0.576, 95% CI = 0.507-0.646) were independently associated with higher depression levels. The association of sleep with depression was significantly mediated by anxiety symptoms (indirect effect B = 0.7804, 95% bootCI = 0.5145 to 1.0560), yielding 48% of the total effect (B = 1.6239, 95% bootCI = 1.1943 to 2.0534). Anxiety symptoms explain the positive association between sleep problems and depression among single parents in Ghana. This study underscores the need for integrated and culturally informed mental health interventions that address the sleep and mental health issues facing Ghanaian single parents.
Details
- Title
- Sleep problems and depression among single parents in Ghana: the mediating role of anxiety symptoms
- Creators
- Obed Jones Owusu-Sarpong - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKabila Abass - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyDaniel Buor - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologySolomon Osei-Tutu - Offinso College of EducationBismark Yeboah Boasu - SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (Ghana)Silas Baffour Awuah - AMUSTEmmanuel Boadu - AMUSTSolomon Akurugu - AMUSTAmos Nti - AMUSTShadrack Owusu - Besease R/C JHS (Ghana)Joshua Amanning - University of Education, WinnebaJoyceline Owusu - Kokofu Government Hospital (Ghana)Matilda Owusu - College of Health (Ghana)Razak M. Gyasi - African Population and Health Research Center
- Publication Details
- Current psychology, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 10
- Identifiers
- 991013318905602368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article