SleepLoss
Research Project: Sleep Problems After a Loss (SleepLoss)
Welcome
Here you can read about the research project:
SleepLoss: We aim to investigate how well two different non‑medical, behavior‑based sleep treatments work for sleep problems in adults who have lost a loved one.
Background and Purpose
Many people experience sleep problems after losing a loved one. The loss of a close person is, for many, a stressful and life‑changing event that can trigger sleep problems. Even though one gradually regains one’s footing after the loss, sleep problems that have persisted over a longer period often become chronic due to unhelpful behavioral and thought patterns.
Sleep has many important functions for both the brain and the body — especially for our physical and mental health and well‑being. Sleep problems can have serious consequences for quality of life and functioning and can lead to negative health outcomes. Nevertheless, there are currently almost no treatment options for bereaved individuals with sleep problems other than sleeping medication.
Studies show that non‑medical, behavior‑based sleep treatment can effectively alleviate sleep problems, but unfortunately there is very little research on the effect of such treatments in people who have experienced a loss. With SleepLoss, we wish to investigate whether short‑term, non‑medical sleep treatment can reduce sleep problems among bereaved individuals — and whether the treatment can also alleviate complicated grief reactions.
Who Can Participate?
You can participate if you:
- are an adult (18 years or older)
- have lost a loved one at least 6 months ago, e.g., a close family member or a friend
- experience sleep problems
- can speak and understand Danish
There are certain circumstances that may prevent participation. This applies to people who have other diagnosed sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea), severe psychiatric or physical illnesses that affect sleep, work night shifts, or have previously received psychological sleep treatment.
What Does Participation Involve?
As a participant, you will, through random assignment, be offered one of two individual, non‑medical sleep treatment programs. Both treatments involve advice and guidance on how to optimize your sleep, and both programs span approximately 4 weeks. Some parts of the treatment require physical attendance at the Department of Psychology at Aarhus University a few times during the program.
What Do You Gain From Participating?
As a participant, you gain free access to behavior‑based sleep treatment, which is not available in the Danish healthcare system, as well as insight into your own sleep profile and individual circadian rhythm. Your participation will also contribute to important knowledge about how bereaved individuals with sleep problems can best be helped.
Are you interested in participating — or do you know someone for whom it might be relevant?
The first step is a short questionnaire of about 5 minutes. It does not commit you to anything, but gives you the opportunity to hear more and possibly participate.
Click here to complete the questionnaire
Or scan this QR code:
Publications and Results
The project’s results are expected to be published continuously from 2028 onwards. Links to publications will be updated here when they become publicly available. Participants who wish to do so will also receive a summary of the overall findings.
The project is led by Alexander Castro‑Pavlik, psychologist and PhD student at the Department of Psychology and affiliated with the Unit for Bereavement Research and the Sleep & Circadian Psychology Research Unit. He collaborates with experienced researchers and psychologists with expertise in both grief research and sleep research.
