Sleep Disorders in Latin America

Yupanqui-Lorenzo D.E.; Quispilaya-Capcha K.L. · Handbook of Latin American Health Psychology: Evidence and Practices (2025) · DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-84433-1_18

Resumen

Sleep disorders are public health problems that affect the global population. The Latin American reality is not immune to their harmful effects on physical and mental health. From its history in ancestral cultures, sleep was considered an important factor for well-being. Scientific advances in sleep exploration allow us to understand them as a biochemical process that has health benefits. Current prevalence studies have shown the presence of high rates of insomnia, hypersomnia, and apnea associated with a large number of risk factors that help understand the spectrum of sleep disorders from different disciplines. In addition, due to the contextual changes that have occurred in our region in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancement, political crises, and migrations, it is necessary to establish it as a current topic of great importance. Although research in psychology appears to be scarce, this chapter seeks to address its prevalence, risk factors, main methods of psychological evaluation, and therapeutic approaches in psychology with scientific evidence reported within Latin America. Finally, the needs in the study of sleep and the great aspects that are sought to understand are discussed, emphasizing the important role that each of us, as academics, healthcare professionals, and researchers, plays in addressing this issue.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades