0681 The Relationship between Safety Behaviors and Insomnia in individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Safety behaviors may perpetuate anxiety, maintain an individual’s perception of threats, and may lead to psychosocial impairment. Safety behaviors are commonly seen in those suffering from insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite their prevalence and associated impairments, there exists no data on the relationship between insomnia and safety behavior in those suffering from PTSD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between safety behavior and insomnia in those with PTSD. If such a relationship is seen, does the severity of nightmares or overall PTSD mediate this relationship between insomnia and safety behaviors? Methods The study extracted data from baseline assessments of a treatment study conducted at the VA Medical Center at Philadelphia. The subjects were treatment-seeking patients with PTSD (N =43). Safety behavior was evaluated using the 12-item brief Safety Behavior Assessment Form (SBAF), PTSD was evaluated using the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and insomnia with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scales. Bivariate analyses evaluated the relationship between SBAF total score and age, education, income, PCL-5, and ISI total scores. Nightmare severity was evaluated using item number 2 from the PCL-5 questionnaire. An analysis evaluated the role of the severity of nightmares or PTSD (PCL-5 total score after excluding the sleep and safety items) as independent mediators in the relationship between SBAF and ISI total scores. Results The mean±standard deviation of their age was 56.1±11.6 years and 13.1±2.1 years of education. They were mostly males (86.0%), black (61.9%) and unemployed over the past month (76.8%). The mean total score was 17.1±5.7 on the SBAF, 17.3±7.4 on the ISI, and 52.5±14.5 on the PCL-5. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that SBAF total score was associated with the ISI (β=0.32, p=0.0005 and PCL-5 (β=0.22, p=0.0004) total scores. Mediation analysis demonstrated a significant mediation effect of nightmares (R2=24.6%) and PTSD severity (R2=33.3%) on the association between safety behaviors and insomnia. Conclusion About sixty percent of the variance in safety behaviors was explained by insomnia and its association with PTSD or nightmare severity. Treatment of underlying insomnia, PTSD, or nightmares may improve the safety behaviors associated with PTSD. Support (if any) 1IK2CX000855 (S.C.), and 1 I01 CX001957 (S.C.).