title: Absorbed in sleep: Dissociative absorption as a predictor of sleepiness following sleep deprivation in two high-functioning samples.
abstract: In recent years, a labile sleep-wake cycle has been implicated as a cause for dissociative experiences, and studies show that dissociation is elevated following sleep deprivation. Dissociative individuals may find it harder to regulate sleepiness in the face of sleep disruption. Although there is significant variability in reactions to sleep deprivation, research on trait predictors is scarce. The present study examined the ability of trait dissociation to prospectively predict sleepiness following sleep loss and recovery sleep. Two high-functioning samples, namely, Remotely Piloted Aircraft officers (N=29) and Air Force jet pilots (N=57) completed state and trait questionnaires assessing sleep and dissociation before and after full or partial sleep loss. Dissociative absorption was a consistent predictor of an increase in sleepiness following sleep loss and following recovery sleep, controlling for baseline sleepiness levels. We discuss the findings in light of a difficulty to regulate and monitor consciousness states.
authors.affiliation: The Consciousness States and Psychopathology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel. Electronic address: soffern@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Nirit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soffer-Dudek
authors.affiliation: Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. Electronic address: Lshelef4@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shelef
authors.affiliation: Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. Electronic address: iditoz@zahav.net.il.
authors.forename: Idit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.affiliation: Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. Electronic address: anna.levkovsky@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levkovsky
authors.affiliation: Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. Electronic address: drshoahm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ifaat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Erlich
authors.affiliation: Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel; Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel. Electronic address: shirley.gordon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000070356:Pilots; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Absorption; Attention; Consciousness states; Dissociation; Pilots; Recovery sleep; Regulation; Sleep deprivation; Sleep-wake; Sleepiness