title: Descriptive assessment of sleep patterns among community-living adults with mental retardation.
abstract: There is little information about the sleep patterns of adults who have mental retardation and are supported in the community. In the present study, direct-care staff recorded sleep behaviors of 59 adults residing in 16 suburban group homes. Based on direct observation and measurement procedures, the adults averaged 7.9 hours of sleep each evening and had low incidence of sleep problems. Sleep duration was not influenced by age, gender, degree of mental retardation, or psychiatric status. Adults taking antidepressant medication (SSRI) had fewer hours of sleep. We discuss implications of these findings and factors contributing to healthy sleep hygiene among community-living adults with mental retardation.
authors.affiliation: Applied Research, Clinical Training, and Peer Review, The May Institute, 41 Pacella Park Dr., Randolph, MA 02368, USA. jluiselli@mayinstitute.org
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Luiselli
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sperry
authors.forename: Shawn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents