Perceptions of aircraft noise exposure, noise sensitivity? sleep disturbance and health: results from the bristol noise, sleep and health study

摘要

The aim of the present research was to examine associations between perceptions of noise exposure, noise sensitivity, sleep disturbance and health in an area where aircraft noise is not particularly prevalent (Bristol, UK). A questionnaire was mailed to a random community sample and 543 responses were received. This sample was found to be a representative sample of the general population. Preliminary analyses suggested that perceptions of aircraft noise while trying to sleep, noise sensitivity and noise-disturbed sleep were all having significant effects on subjective health. The effects of noise exposure and noise sensitivity were entirely due to neuroticism. However, sleep disturbance due to noise was still related to health even when negative affectivity was co-varied. This confirms results obtained with another sample and investigations of noise exposure in general. Further research is considering whether a similar pattern holds when exposure levels are higher. A longitudinal study is desirable to determine the causal relationships linking noise disturbed sleep and health.