0665 Mindfulness as a Protective Factor for Chronic Insomnia in College Students

Abstract

Abstract Introduction College students are at high risk for developing insomnia and co-morbid psychological distress. The aim of this research was to assess whether the lack of endogenous mindfulness was a risk factor for insomnia. Methods In order to address this issue, an archival analysis was conducted with a data set from MUN where the relationship between chronotype, mental health, sleep quality, and social support was assessed (n=3,160; 2,266 women; X̅age=22 years). The proband subsample of interest were subjects that completed the HADS, MEQ, the ISI, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The MAAS is a 15 item self-report measure, where each item is scored on a six-point Likert scale. Scores range from 15-90, higher scores are indicative of greater mindfulness. In order to evaluate the relevance of mindfulness, the overall sample was split into two groups (endogenous mindfulness [average score of ≥4.2]): n=647; X̅age=22.4 years; nonendogenous mindfulness [average score of ≥4.2]: n=1,505; X̅age=22.04 years). Results Subjects (n=2,152) were between the ages of 18-35 (X̅=22+/- 3.72) and included primarily Caucasian individuals (86.6 %) and individuals who identified as female (71.7%). The means and ranges for the ISI, MAAS, and HADS were as follows: 9.0 + 5.6 (0-28), 3.7+.98 (1-6), and 5.3 + 3.9 (0-21), respectively. A correlation of -0.27 (p<0.001) was found for endogenous mindfulness (scale score range 1-6) and insomnia (scale score range 0-28) and -0.25 (p<0.001) for non-endogenous mindfulness (scale score range 1-6) and insomnia. Moderator analyses were conducted, and it was found that depression moderates the relationship between mindfulness and insomnia, (HADS depression, ΔR2 = .2, ΔF(3, 643)=57.6, p=.012, b=-.3, t(643)=-2.5 p< .05. Results should be interpreted with caution as the effect size was less than 0.1. Conclusion There was a relationship found, in both groups, between mindfulness and the ISI, where the scores on the ISI were lower when mindfulness was high. This suggests that there is a moderate linear relationship between mindfulness and insomnia. This association needs to be further evaluated in samples that have a broader range of ISI scores and with analyses that more carefully parse the moderating influence of depression. Analyses are ongoing. Support (If Any) Support: K24AG055602