A new study is to look at the relationship between difficult events experienced during childhood and sleep quality as an adult.

Researchers from the School of Psychology at NUI Galway (NUIG) are carrying out the online study.

Adults aged over 18 years are being invited to take part.

NUIG says it hopes the results will help professionals and researchers understand the factors that play a part in how people manage childhood stress and poor sleep.

The results of recent research have shown a link between difficult events that people experience as children, and the quality of their sleep as adults.

Less is known about what factors play a part in this relationship, and why some people who have experienced painful childhood events or feelings may not have poor sleep as adults.

Part of the study will look at how 'mindful people are of the present' and their coping styles.

The Quadrangle at NUI Galway

The study is being carried out by principal investigator Andrea Grehan: "Sleep difficulties are common in the general population, as are distressing childhood experiences.

"We want to examine the relationship between childhood events and sleep in adulthood by looking at whether being mindful or accepting, and whether a personal coping style, change the impact of such childhood experiences on sleep quality in adulthood.

"We hope that the results will guide both future research and clinical practice."

It will also be led by Dr Jonathan Egan and Professor Brian McGuire of the School of Psychology.

Dr Egan said: "We are very excited about exploring all aspects of how past events and current well-being collide in the architecture of a person's sleep.

"Previously we have linked how sleep paralysis is affected by a person's personality and life events, we are now looking at the whole sleep cycle and what a large group of hundreds if not thousands of peoples' life experiences can tell us."

Those aged over 18 years who wish to participate in the study can complete an online survey form.