Sleep Duration Associated with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Influence of Age, Sex, Race and Ethnicity

Behav Sleep Med. 2026 Feb 3:1-14. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2026.2623103. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between short and long sleep duration and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in a diverse cohort of cognitively normal mid- to older-age adults.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, including 63,948 adults aged 40-70. SCD was assessed using BRFSS survey queries. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between sleep duration ( < 7, 7, ≥8 hours) and SCD, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and history of depression.

RESULTS: Both short and long sleep durations were associated with higher odds of SCD. The association between short sleep and SCD was strongest among individuals in their 40s at the start of midlife. Findings were consistent across all ages for non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and for Hispanics/Latinos in their 50s and 70s. Black/African American (B/AA) adults exhibited a stronger relationship between both short and long sleep duration and SCD as they aged from midlife into their 80s, compared to NHWs.

CONCLUSIONS: Short sleep duration is more strongly associated with subjective cognitive decline in midlife, particularly among B/AA adults. Addressing sleep disparities may help mitigate the risk of SCD.

PMID:41632586 | DOI:10.1080/15402002.2026.2623103