Abstract
Sleep problems are a central consequence of social disadvantages, and residence in a neighborhood with a high degree of danger is often a critical component of this in later life. Religion may be particularly efficacious as a means to improve sleep quality, and religious involvement provides people with companionship and support that might make peaceful sleep more likely, especially for older adults that live in dangerous neighborhoods. This study uses data from the recently released Wave 3 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP, n=3873). Results suggest that neighborhood danger is associated with a greater number of sleep problems, net of demographic and health controls. By contrast, attending religious services once a week or more is associated with fewer sleep problems. Moreover, weekly church attendance buffers the effects of living in a dangerous environment on sleep problems, net of all controls.