Background: Little is known about cognitive and behavioral predictors of sleep quality and relapse among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Using the social cognitive theory (SCT), we assessed sleep-related behaviors and cognitions, sleep quality, and relapse to drinking among individuals with AUD transitioning from inpatient to outpatient settings. Method: Individuals (n = 149) seeking treatment for AUD were recruited during their inpatient stay. Self-efficacy for sleep, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, sleep-related behaviors, sleep quality, and relapse were assessed. Objective (actigraphy) assessment of sleep efficiency and duration was measured using actigraphy. Multiple logistic regression models tested whether self-reported sleep quality or sleep-related beliefs/behavior predicted relapse. Repeated measures linear mixed modeling tested whether there was a change over time in sleep quality as well as the relationships between self-efficacy, sleep-related beliefs, sleep behaviors, sleep quality, and relapse. Results: In our sample, self-efficacy for sleep, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, and sleep-related behavior were all significantly associated with both sleep quality and relapse. Controlling for pre-discharge sleep-related behaviors (SRBQ) and actigraphy-recorded average sleep time during the first week post-discharge, married participants had lower odds of relapse compared with non-married patients (p = 0.048, OR = 0.119, 95% CI 0.015–0.983). Patients with lower self-efficacy for sleep (SES) scores (p < 0.001) and higher CPRS anxiety scores (p < 0.001) had higher PSQI scores. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of self-efficacy and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep as predictors of sleep quality and relapse among individuals with AUD and the utility of the SCT as a sleep research framework.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by problematic drinking that becomes severe. Individuals with AUD often experience insomnia and other sleep disturbances at various phases of recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an efficacious non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia and is recommended as a first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. Internet-based CBT-I could play a key role in the dissemination of this behavioral sleep intervention, given the paucity of trained clinicians able to provide CBT-I in person and other logistical/cost concerns. SHUTi (Sleep Healthy Using The Internet) is the most tested and empirically-sound Internet intervention for insomnia. Despite the promise of Internet-based CBT-I interventions, to date, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exist examining the feasibility/efficacy of an Internet-based CBT-I program among treatment-seeking individuals recovering from AUD. This is a two-phase RCT assessing feasibility/acceptability and efficacy of the SHUTi program among individuals with AUD in recovery with insomnia. Phase I will focus on assessing the feasibility and acceptability of program delivery and data collection (n = 10). Phase II will be an RCT powered to examine preliminary intervention efficacy (n = 30 per group). Participants for this study must meet criteria for “moderate to severe” insomnia. Individuals randomized to the intervention group will receive the SHUTi intervention (initiated while inpatient and completed while outpatient), and individuals randomized to the control group will receive an educational web-based program. The goals of the study are as follows: (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of Internet-based CBT-I among individuals with AUD in recovery with insomnia (phase I), (2) compare the preliminary efficacy of CBT-I versus control group with respect to primary and secondary outcome variables (phase II), and (3) explore specific domains associated with improved outcomes, e.g., demographic, psychiatric, and drinking-related factors (phase II). Primary outcome measures include changes in insomnia severity over time and changes in actigraphy-recorded sleep efficiency over time. NCT#03493958 ; registered 1 June 2018.

Background: Cooking is an identified dietary strategy that is positively associated with optimal diet quality. Prior to initiating cooking interventions, evaluating the prospective acceptability of the intervention among community members living within low food access areas and understanding geospatial food shopping locations may aid in designing community-tailored interventions. Methods: A sequential mixed methods study was conducted to determine the prospective acceptability of a planned community-located cooking intervention among African American adults living in a low food access area and with at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor. A semi-structured guide was used to conduct five virtual focus groups. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and validated through participant check-in interviews. Survey responses were analyzed based on descriptive data. Geospatial analysis of participant locations that were reported for food shopping was conducted to show food environment utilization. Results: Focus groups with study participants (n = 20, all female, mean age 60.3, SD 9.3, mean cooking frequency per week 4.0, food insecure n = 7) were conducted between March and April, 2021. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts identified five main themes as follows: (A) Barriers to Cooking (family and caregiving, transportation, COVID-19 pandemic, time availability, household composition); (B) Motivators for Cooking (family, caregiving, health, enjoyment, COVID-19 pandemic); (C) Strategies (food shopping, social support, social media, meal planning); (D) Neighborhood (gentrification, perceived safety, stigmatization, disparities in grocery stores); (E) and Acceptability of the Intervention (reasons to participate, barriers, recruitment, intervention delivery). Participant validation interviews confirmed the themes and subthemes as well as the illustrative quotes. Geospatial analysis showed a majority of locations were outside of the participants’ residential areas. Conclusions: Prospective acceptability of a community-tailored cooking intervention found that the planned intervention could be modified to address individual level factors, such as caregiving and health, community contextual factors, such as perceived safety, and the general health needs of the community.

Objectives: SCD is a monogenic condition with complex pathophysiological pathways influenced by nutrition. While dietary management is recognized in pediatric SCD populations, the role of diet in symptom variability and disease severity among adults living with SCD has not been widely reported nor systematically studied. This study utilizes qualitative data to investigate intrapersonal and environmental facilitators and barriers to dietary intake among adults with SCD. Methods: This cross-sectional, single-site mixed-methods study (NCT05170412) included 47 adults living with SCD from multiple US regions through in-person and telehealth visits. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, dietary recall surveys, and clinical assessments. Thematic analysis using iterative coding identified key themes related to food choices, symptom management, and social determinants of health. Results: Participants reported that economic constraints, food environment limitations, and acute symptoms disrupted dietary intake. Food insecurity risk was prevalent, with many residing in low-income, low-access areas. Barriers included high costs of nutritious foods and work-related dietary restrictions. Facilitators included social support, cultural food preferences, and access to reliable nutritional information. Participants expressed interest in dietary self-management strategies, but cited limited access to professional dietary guidance. Conclusions: For adults with SCD, diet and nutrition are significantly related to symptoms. Food access, symptom-related dietary interruptions, and cultural preferences shape dietary behaviors. These findings highlight the need for personalized dietary interventions, improved food access, and clinician-guided nutritional education. Addressing these factors could enhance self-management strategies related to diet and overall disease outcomes.