A latent profile analysis of sleep disturbance in relation to mental health among college students in China

AimsThis study aimed to examine the subtype classification characteristics of sleep disturbance (SD) in college students and their associations with sample characteristic factors and mental health outcomes. MethodsThe sample comprised 4,302 college students (Mean age = 19.92 +/- 1.42 years, 58.6% females). The Youth Self-Rating Insomnia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, 8-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess adolescents' sleep disturbance, depressive symptoms, psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), and resilience. Latent profile analysis, logistic regression, and liner regression analysis were used to analyze the data. ResultsThree subtypes of SD in college students were identified: the high SD profile (10.6%), the mild SD profile (37.5%), and the no SD profile (51.9%). Compared with college students in the no SD profile, risk factors for high SD include being male and poor parental marital status. Sophomores were found to predict the high SD profile or mild SD profile relative to the no SD profile. College students in the mild SD profile or high SD profile were more likely to have a higher level of depressive symptoms and PLEs, while a lower level of resilience. ConclusionThe findings highlighted that target intervention is urgently needed for male college students, sophomores, and those with poor parental marital status in the mild SD profile or high SD profile.

Automated summary

This study aimed to examine the subclassification characteristics of sleep disturbance (SD) in college students and their associations with sample characteristic factors and mental health outcomes. Three subtypes of SD in college students were identified: high SD profile, mild SD profile, and no SD profile. Male gender, poor parental marital status, and being a sophomore were identified as risk factors for high SD. College students in the mild SD or high SD profiles were more likely to have higher levels of depressive symptoms and psychotic-like experiences, as well as lower resilience levels.