Citation

Huang Y, Li P, Lai Z, Jia X, Xiao D, Wang T, Guo L, Lu C. Psychol. Res. Behav. Manag. 2018; 11: 607-615.

Affiliation

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Nutrition Translation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China, luciyong@mail.sysu.edu.cn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Dove Press)

DOI

10.2147/PRBM.S186586

PMID

30573996

PMCID

PMC6292244

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that sexual minority adolescents experience higher rates of sleep disturbance than their heterosexual peers, and disturbed sleep is a well-known risk factor for suicidality. This study aimed to explore whether sleep quality had mediating effects on the relationship between sexual minority status and suicidal behavior in Chinese adolescents.

METHODS: We analyzed data collected from 7th to 12th graders from seven randomly selected provinces of People's Republic of China in the 2015 School-Based Chinese Adolescents Health Survey. The 123,459 students who completed questionnaires regarding sexual attraction, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, past-year suicidal ideation, and past-year suicide attempts were included in our study (response rate: 95.9%).

RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, sexual minority status was associated with suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio =1.82, 95% CI=1.69-1.95) and suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio =2.16, 95% CI=1.82-2.56). Sleep quality partially mediated the effects of sexual minority status on suicidal ideation (standardized β estimate=0.009, 95% CI=0.007-0.012) and suicide attempts (standardized β estimate=0.004, 95% CI=0.003-0.005).

CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality partially explained the increased risk of suicidality for Chinese sexual minority adolescents. To prevent subsequent suicidality, suicide interventions targeting sexual minorities should be made, with a focus on their disparities in sleep disturbance and sleep health promotion.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; mediating effect; sexual minority; sleep quality; suicidal behavior