Associations between Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Background: Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms are prevalent in adolescents. This three-wave prospective study examined the associations between the three symptoms in adolescents. Methods: A total of 6995 schoolchildren in 7th and 10th grades (Mean age = 14.86 years) participated in a longitudinal study of behavior and health in Shandong, China. Standardized rating scales were used to assess symptoms of insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression in November-December in 2015, 1 year later, and 2 years later. Results: Insomnia was cross-sectionally associated with 10-14-fold increased odds of daytime sleepiness and 5-9-fold increased odds of depression. Daytime sleepiness was associated with 4-5-fold increased odds of depression. Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, or depression at a later time point was significantly predicted by itself at earlier time points. Insomnia was a significant predictor of daytime sleepiness and depression and a mediator between depression and daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness was a significant predictor of insomnia and a mediator between depression and insomnia. Depression was a significant predictor of insomnia and daytime sleepiness and a mediator between insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Conclusions: Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms were highly comorbid in adolescents. The associations of insomnia with daytime sleepiness and depression were bidirectional. Depression predicted daytime sleepiness, but not vice versa. Further research is needed to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms between insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depression during adolescence.

Automated summary

Insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and depressive symptoms are highly comorbid in adolescents. The associations between insomnia and daytime sleepiness, as well as insomnia and depression, are bidirectional. Depression predicts daytime sleepiness, but not vice versa.