Sexual minority status may be linked to sleep disturbance in early adolescence, according to a study that therefore links being LGBTQIA with sleep problems.
The study – “Sexual Orientation Disparities in Early Adolescent Sleep: Findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study” by Jason M. Nagata, Christopher M. Lee, Joanne H. Yang, Orsolya Kiss, Kyle T. Ganson, Alexander Testa, Dylan B. Jackson, Abubakr A.A. Al-shoaibi, and Fiona C. Baker – appeared in LGBT Health.
Fo this study, the researchers analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018–2020) to estimate associations between sexual orientation and sleep problems or disturbance, adjusting for confounders and testing potential mediators (depressive problems, stress problems, family conflict, and parental monitoring).
In a sample of 8,563 adolescents 10- to 14-years-old, 4.4% identified as sexual minority individuals. Sexual minority status was associated with self-reported trouble falling or staying asleep (risk ratio [RR] = 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88–2.68) and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance (RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.29–1.75).
The association between sexual minority status and trouble falling or staying asleep was partially mediated by greater depressive problems, more family conflict, and less parental monitoring, whereas the association between sexual minority status and caregiver-reported sleep disturbance was partially mediated by greater depressive problems, higher stress, and greater family conflict.
The results “indicate that sexual minority status may be linked to sleep disturbance in early adolescence,” the researchers stated. “Depressive problems, stress, family conflict, and less parental monitoring partially mediate disparities in sleep health for sexual minority youth. Future research could test interventions to promote family and caregiver acceptance and mental health support for sexual minority youth to improve their sleep and other health outcomes.”
