STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Research in Frontiers of Psychiatry found that sleeping with a partner produced more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, less fragmented REM sleep and longer undisturbed REM fragments
- The findings contrast with previous research that has linked sleeping with a partner to a poorer quality of sleep
- REM sleep has a positive role in consolidation of emotionally salient and episodic memories and improves learning and mood
- REM sleep may enhance the ability to interact socially and reduce the likelihood of developing mental illness, according to the research
- Presence of a partner can make a sleeping environment seem safer whereas isolated sleep can be a stressor