Aging Adults' Willingness, Preferences, and Access to Self-Hypnosis for Sleep: A Cross-Sectional Survey

• Published in: International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Vol. 72; no. 2; pp. 139 - 154
• Main Authors: Wofford, Nathan, Rausch, Carolyn R., Elkins, Gary R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02.04.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aging; Aging adults; Hypnosis; older adults; preferences; Sleep; Smartphones; willingness; hypnosis; sleep; older adults; Aging adults; willingness; preferences
• ISSN: 0020-7144; 1744-5183
• DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2024.2324167

Sleep disturbance is a public health problem among aging adults (age 45 and older). While aging adults are at an elevated risk for sleep disturbance, many also have high rates of mistrust toward psychological interventions, such as self-hypnosis, which may be beneficial for sleep. The purpose of the study was to assess factors that may impact utilization of self-hypnosis for sleep, including willingness, preferences, and access among informed aging adults. 244 aging adults were recruited. After reading an information sheet on self-hypnosis for sleep, participants completed questionnaires assessing sleep related worry, stress, and perceptions of self-hypnosis for sleep, including willingness, benefits, barriers, preferences, and access. The findings indicated that informed aging adults were willing to engage in self-hypnosis for sleep, regardless of their race or gender. Furthermore, they preferred technological delivery methods (i.e. telehealth or smartphone apps) with flexible scheduling options. However, very few participants endorsed having access to self-hypnosis.