Study finds possible link Between Sleep Issues, Substance Use, and Suicidal Thoughts in Depressed Adolescents
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Sleep difficulties and misuse of drugs/alcohol have been associated with suicidal ideation in young people. Using cross-sectional representative surveys of adolescents, the researchers conducted adjusted logistic regression modeling to assess the relationships between sleep difficulties, substance use, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression.
Data were analyzed from 66,422 adolescents aged between 12-17 years. 38,418 participants responded affirmatively to the mental illness screener. Among those, 11.6% reported thinking about suicide, 5.7% reported planning a suicide attempt and 3.8% reported making a suicide attempt. 16.7% reported sleep difficulties. Of the analytical sample, 2.8% reported alcohol abuse/dependence and 4.6% reported illicit drug dependence or abuse.
In those reporting alcohol abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with attempting suicide. In those reporting illicit drug abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with thinking about and attempting suicide.
So the authors observed a significant association between sleep difficulties and suicidal ideation (e.g., thinking about) among adolescents who reported symptoms of a major depressive episode. These findings are consistent with extensive evidence linking sleep difficulties with mental health concerns, such as suicidal ideation.
Ref: Rebecca Robbins, Matthew D. Weaver et al, Exploring sleep difficulties, alcohol, illicit drugs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression,
Psychiatry Research, 2024, 116116, ISSN 0165-1781, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116116.
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