Introduction: Exploring the association between technology use and sleep health in older adults is important as digital engagement becomes integrated into society.

Objective: This study aimed to examine sleep health and its association with technology use in a population-based cohort of 60 years and older.

Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study (2023) included 436 older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, Blekinge (SNAC-B) population. These participants were sent questionnaires about their sleep, internet usage, Digital Social Participation (DSP), Technology Anxiety (TA), Technology Enthusiasm (TE), and use of information and communication technology. We used a multidimensional instrument, SATED, to measure sleep health. In this study, we conducted statistical analyses using the chi2 test, T-test, Pearson correlation, and backward linear and logistic regression.

Results: Our study found that older adults (60 years+) have a mean sleep health score of 7.40 (SD = 2.03). TE (,) and DSP (,) were positively associated with better sleep health, while TA (,) was negatively associated. Frequent internet users(M = 7.6) and engaging with screens before bedtime (M = 7.7) had higher sleep health scores compared to non-frequent users (M = 6.90,) and none or seldom engagement with screens before bedtime (M = 7.10,) respectively. Linear regression showed TE positively associated (= 0.241,) while TA negatively associated (= -0.220,) with sleep health. DSP was found to be a predictor of better satisfaction (OR: 1.32,), efficiency (OR: 1.16,), and duration of sleep (OR:1.16,). Lower TA predicted better satisfaction (OR: 0.81,), timing (OR: 0.74,), and efficiency (OR:0.78,) of sleep. Older adults who use technology one hour before sleep have better sleep timing (OR: 3.003,), while those who do use mobile phones with a screen during the awake period after sleep onset have poor sleep timing (OR:0.016,).

Conclusions: DSP and TE support better sleep health, while TA negatively impacts sleep satisfaction, timing, and efficiency. Encouraging positive digital engagement and minimizing technology-related stress may promote healthier sleep in older adults.