0965 SHORTER SLEEP DURATION, INCONSISTENT BEDTIMES, SNORING, AND TROUBLE FALLING ASLEEP PREDICT INCREASED HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF AT-RISK ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Sleep plays a critical role in impulse-control and decision-making. Pervasive sleep deprivation among adolescents may contribute to their susceptibility to risky behaviors. This study investigates the association between adolescent sleep and risky behaviors in a diverse national sample. The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study followed a national urban birth cohort of at-risk children from birth through 15y. In the 15y wave, participants’ reported sleeping habits (sleep duration, bedtime consistency, frequency of snoring, and trouble falling asleep) were separately modeled as predictors of risky behaviors (unprotected sex, smoking, drinking, and other substance use) in logistic or ordinary least squares regressions adjusted for sex, ethnicity, mother’s education, household income, and adolescent’s depressive symptoms. Preliminary analyses included 2681 adolescents aged 14.4–17.8y (15.5 ± 0.57y), 49.1% female, and 82.1% non-white. Among adolescents reporting having had sex (n=366, 14%), longer sleep duration (in hours) was associated with lower odds of having never used a condom (OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.58–0.97). Bedtime consistency (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.96; n=2633) and frequent snoring (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.71; n=2633) were negatively and positively associated, respectively, with having ever smoked cigarettes. Among ever smokers (n=133, 5%), trouble falling asleep was associated with earlier age of first cigarette use (β=-0.14, p=0.049). Longer sleep duration was associated with lower odds of having ever used alcohol (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.98; n=2680). Sleep duration (OR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96; n=2632) and trouble falling asleep (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.08–1.43; n=2632) were negatively and positively associated, respectively, with ever using illicit substances other than marijuana. While these findings cannot determine causality, they demonstrate positive associations between shorter sleep duration and other sleep disorder symptoms with a range of risky behaviors, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Interventions aimed at improving adolescents’ sleep may help reduce incidence of unsafe sex practices, smoking, drinking, or other substance use. R01HD073352 (L. Hale, PI)