Sleep Quality Moderates the Relationship Between Daily Mean Levels and Variability of Positive Affect

Despite the well-established bidirectional association between sleep and daytime affect, most studies examining this relationship have focused on mean levels of affect. However, research solely focusing on mean levels of affect inherently neglects variability in affect, which has been shown to predict both psychological and physical well-being beyond mean levels. The present study assessed sleep quality and daytime affect using ecological momentary assessment in a combined sample of individuals (N = 80; 8,881 observations) with and without anxiety and mood disorders. Results from the present study partially replicated extant work on the negative association between negative affect (NA) variability and subsequent sleep quality. Furthermore, less satisfying sleep amplified the positive relationship between daily mean levels and variability of positive affect (PA). The results did not differ by clinical status. The present study offers novel evidence suggesting that previous night’s sleep quality influences the stability of varying daily levels of PA. Uncovering the dynamics of sleep and affect beyond mean levels will help further elucidate mechanisms linking sleep and subsequent affective experiences.