The Role of Stroop Performance in Predicting Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in the Elderly

 Today, the life expectancy of elderly people has increased all over the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of attention performance in predicting the elderly’s sleep quality and quality of life.   The research design was descriptive correlational. The statistical population consisted of all elderly men over 60 years of age who live in the nursing homes of Ardabil City, Iran, in 2017. Out of them, a sample of 200 individuals was selected by the available sampling method. Pittsburg sleep quality questionnaire, the World Health Organization quality of life and Stroop questionnaire were used for data collection. The obtained data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation and regression analysis in SPSS-21.  The findings showed that the Mean±SD of the subjects’ age was 66.47±6.756 years and their quality of life and sleep quality Mean±SD scores were 73.95±21.41 and 5.55±6.36, respectively. Also, the Mean±SD scores of Stroop cards of error, correct, response, and interference were 6.54±8.52, 94.48±7.37, 121.56±61.33, and 50.44±58.08, respectively. The results of the Pearson correlation and regression analysis showed a significant relationship between performance in the Stroop test and the manner of attention with the quality of sleep and quality of life (P<0.01, β=0.351), and the way in which attention is given in the Stroop test can predict the quality of sleep (P<0.001) and quality of life (P<0.001, β=0.308).  The performance of the Stroop test in the elderly by conducting training and performing different therapeutic classes will improve their quality of life and sleep quality.