Sleep problems are highly prevalent among college students and are associated with academic and mental health outcomes. While biological and behavioral contributors to insomnia have been widely examined, less attention has been given to interpersonal and emotional factors. Attachment theory suggests that individuals with insecure attachment patterns may experience heightened stress reactivity and difficulties with emotion regulation, which could increase vulnerability to sleep disturbances. 

This study examined whether attachment style is associated with clinical-level insomnia among undergraduate and graduate university students. Attachment style was assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Relationship Structures questionnaire (ECR-RS), which measures attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance as continuous dimensions. Insomnia severity was measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and clinical-level insomnia was defined using established cutoffs.

We will conduct an analysis using cross-sectional survey data from School of Public Health and Health Sciences students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (n=215, mean age=20.0 years, SD=1.5). We will use descriptive statistics to summarize characteristics including academic major, gender, and race/ethnicity, and will use independent samples t-tests to compare mean attachment scores between students with and without clinical-level insomnia. We will use multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate adjusted associations between attachment dimensions and insomnia status. All statistical analyses will be conducted using R statistical software. We hypothesize that higher attachment anxiety and avoidance will be associated with increased odds of clinical-level insomnia. Findings may contribute to understanding psychosocial influences on sleep health and inform further research on interventions targeting emotional well-being among college students.