Hierarchical and Mediation Analysis of Disparities in Very Short Sleep among Sexual Minority Youth in the U.S., 2015

ABSTRACT

Background

Insufficient sleep is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases, substance use, and unintentional injuries. Little is known about the disparities in short sleep among sexual minority youth.

Methods

A nationally representative sample of U.S. students in grades 9–12 (n = 14,703) from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was analyzed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of short sleep. Self-reported sleep duration (very short: ≤5 h, short: 6–7 h, normal: ≥8 h per day) were compared by sex group (male vs. female) and sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and unsure).

Results

Of all respondents, 88.8% were heterosexual/straight, 2.0% were lesbian or gay, 6.0% were bisexual, and 3.2% were unsure about their sexual identity. Bisexual and unsure girls (36.2%, 95% CI [31.3–41.0] and 33.7%, CI [25.6–41.8], respectively) had a higher prevalence of very short sleep duration than straight girls (19.8%, CI [18.3–21.4]). Gay and unsure boys (38.5%, CI [25.6–51.5] and 33.3%, CI [23.5–32.1], respectively) had a higher prevalence of very short sleep duration than straight boys (16.5%, CI [15.1–17.9]). The effects of sexual minority status on very short sleep duration attenuated when incrementally adjusting for influencing factors, and further analysis identified that feeling sad/hopeless had the largest standardized mediation effect.

Conclusions and Relevance

Sexual minority adolescents had a higher prevalence of reporting very short sleep duration as compared to their straight peers, and the effects were mediated by influencing variables including demographic factors, substance use, excessive media use, and experiences of victimization/mental health problems.

Disclosure statement

Dr Ingram has served as a consultant for Jazz pharmaceuticals.

Contribution Statement

HD conceptualized the study, acquired data, performed analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and critically revised the manuscript. DI and JT assisted in data analysis and result interpretation, critically reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Data Sharing

Data are publically available.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.