Constipation severity mediates the relationship between affective symptoms and sleep quality among people with schizophrenia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

More than half of people with schizophrenia experience poor sleep quality, which is greater than the proportion among the general population and among individuals with bipolar disorder. Poor sleep is a key indicator of symptom stability. Constipation is also more common in this population. While emerging evidence suggests that gut-brain interactions play a role in affective disorders, the relationship between constipation severity and sleep disturbances remains underexplored.

Aim

This study examined the mediating effect of constipation severity on the relationship between affective symptoms and sleep quality in people with schizophrenia.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 256 participants with schizophrenia across two psychiatric hospitals. Structured questionnaires were used to assess affective symptoms, constipation severity, and sleep quality. We analyzed the mediating role of constipation severity while controlling for seven covariates by conducting multiple regression analysis using the SPSS PROCESS macro model 4.

Results

Anxiety, depressive symptoms, constipation severity, and sleep quality were found to be interconnected. The findings showed that neither anxiety nor depressive symptoms significantly impacted sleep quality when accounting for constipation severity, indicating that constipation fully mediated the relationship between affective symptoms and sleep quality.

Conclusion

In individuals with schizophrenia, constipation has a greater negative impact on sleep quality than affective symptoms. This study highlights the need to address constipation in mental health care, as managing it may improve both sleep and emotional well-being. A holistic approach that includes constipation management should be part of treatment plans for those facing mental health and sleep issues.