The Evolutionarily-Mismatched Impact of Urbanization on Insomnia Symptoms: A Short Review of the Recent Literature

Jiaqing O, Catrin Pugh-Jones, Bethany Clark, Jenna Trott, Lei Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview Articlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
123 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Purpose of review:
For the most part of human existence, individuals have been living a rural lifestyle in a rural setting. However, such sleep-conducive conditions have largely been transformed dramatically by urbanization within a relatively short span of time in recent history, and the resulting evolved mechanisms-environment mismatch is theorized to bring about an increased risk for insomnia symptoms. This brief review of the recent literature is designed to evaluate the veracity of this proposition.

Recent findings:
The majority of recent findings has suggested that most proposed evolutionarily-mismatched urban factors are indeed related to the presence of insomnia symptoms. However, there is a general paucity of longitudinal evidence (and for some other factors, enough evidence of any kind).

Summary:
Although there is a preponderance of recent findings indicating a link between evolutionarily-mismatched urban phenomena and insomnia symptoms, more longitudinal data are needed before any causative conclusion can be drawn.
Original languageEnglish
Article number28
Number of pages9
JournalCurrent Psychiatry Reports
Volume23
Issue number5
Early online date02 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 02 Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Evolutionary mismatch
  • Insomnia symptoms
  • Modern environment
  • Review
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Disorders (P Gehrman, Section Editor)
  • Topical Collection on Sleep Disorders
  • Urbanization
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders

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