If You (Don't) Snooze, Do You Use? Prospective Links Between Adolescent Sleep Patterns and Substance Use and Depression

Adolescent sleep and mental health are closely linked; however, less is known regarding how unique patterns of sleep influence youth mental health. This study aimed to identify subgroups of adolescent sleepers, demographic predictors of subgroup membership, and their prospective links with mental health outcomes. Youth from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 5411; 51.8% female) self-reported sleep (duration, sufficiency, problems, bedtime), depressive symptoms, alcohol use, cannabis use, and demographics at baseline (W1; 1994-1995; M-age = 15.06) and 1 year later (W2; 1996). Latent profile analysis revealed three sleep profiles: Optimal (highest quantity/quality, earliest bedtime), Low-Quantity/Later Bedtime (lowest duration/sufficiency, latest bedtime), and Low-Quality (highest problems). Several demographic covariates were associated with profiles. Less-optimal profiles were associated with greater W2 depressive symptoms and substance use, controlling for W1 levels. Youth with low-quantity/later bedtimes were especially at-risk for cannabis use. Results may inform interventions seeking to improve adolescent mental health by targeting multiple aspects of sleep.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify subgroups of adolescent sleepers and their demographic predictors of subgroup membership, as well as their prospective links with mental health outcomes. Three sleep profiles were identified: Optimal, Low-Quantity/Later Bedtime, and Low-Quality. Less-optimal sleep profiles were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and substance use. Demographic factors were also found to play a role in sleep profiles and mental health outcomes.