Journal article
Perfectionism Contributes to Sleep-Wake State Discrepancy: The Mediating Role of Pre-Sleep Arousal
Brain Sciences, Vol.16(6), pp.1-22
2026
PMCID: PMC13296699
PMID: 42352610
Abstract
Objectives: Sleep-wake state discrepancy, the discrepancy between self-reported and objective sleep measures, is commonly experienced in poor sleep and insomnia. While perfectionism is implicated in insomnia, its relationship to sleep-wake state discrepancy has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess the association between sleep-wake state discrepancy and perfectionism and explore whether dysfunctional sleep beliefs and pre-sleep arousal mediate that relationship. Methods: Sixty adult participants from community and clinical populations were conveniently sampled (85% females, mean age 30.28 ± 11.13 years, 38% with insomnia symptoms). Sleep-wake state discrepancy measures were calculated using data from actigraphy and sleep diary collected over 14 days. The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), Hewitt–Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (HFMPS), Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep (DBAS), and Pre-sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS) were also collected. Results: High perfectionism levels were associated with high levels of sleep-wake state discrepancy. Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions correlated with sleep onset latency discrepancy with small effects (r = 0.26 and 0.29, respectively). Doubts about Actions was associated with sleep onset latency discrepancy. Furthermore, pre-sleep arousal and cognitive pre-sleep arousal mediated relationships between sleep onset latency discrepancy and Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions. Conclusions: Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions relate to a poorer perception of sleep relative to objective sleep measures. During sleep onset, cognitive pre-sleep arousal appears to mediate relationships between perfectionism and sleep-wake state discrepancy. Therefore, perfectionism may be an important cognitive-emotional factor to consider when assessing and treating sleep-wake state discrepancy that commonly accompanies insomnia.
Details
- Title
- Perfectionism Contributes to Sleep-Wake State Discrepancy: The Mediating Role of Pre-Sleep Arousal
- Authors
- Susie Y. Oh - Monash UniversityChristian L. Nicholas - The University of MelbourneLisa J. Phillips - The University of MelbourneDavid Cunnington - University of the Sunshine CoastMaya T. Schenker - Monash UniversityCameron J. Patrick - The University of MelbourneDaniel Windred - Flinders UniversityHailey Meaklim (Corresponding Author) - The University of Melbourne
- Publication details
- Brain Sciences, Vol.16(6), pp.1-22
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.3390/brainsci16060600
- ISSN
- 2076-3425
- PMID
- 42352610; PMC13296699
- Copyright note
- © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
- Data Availability
- The data underlying this article cannot be shared publicly as it contains information that could compromise the privacy of research participants. De-identified data will be shared on a reasonable request to the corresponding author.
- Grant note
- This project received funding from the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
- Organisation Unit
- Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991246170402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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