1077 The Association Between Sleep Problems And Risk-taking Behavior Differs Between Racial Majority And Minority Groups

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often experience poor sleep quality and elevated self-destructive behaviors. Among healthy individuals, poor sleep quality can lead to increased risk-taking behavior through decreased inhibition and/or increased willingness to take risks. However, it is unclear whether racial/ethnic background may influence this relationship, in particular among individuals with PTSD. We examined whether the relationship between sleep quality and risk propensity would differ between majority and minority racial groups in individuals with PTSD. Methods Seventy-six individuals (61.8% female; mean age=31.7, SD=8.8) with a clinical diagnosis of PTSD were administered the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) as a measure of sleep-related functional impairment of daily activities, and the Evaluation of Risk (EVAR) Scale as a measure of risk-taking propensity. Forty-seven individuals identified with the majority racial group (Caucasian) and 29 individuals identified themselves within the minority. Results There were no significant group differences for FOSQ and total EVAR risk-taking scores. However, the strength of association between measures differed significantly between groups (Z=1.95, p=.051). For the racial/ethnic majority, functional impairments due to lack of sleep were positively associated with risk-taking propensity (r=.460, p=.001); this relationship was not present for the minority group (r=.016, p=.936). Conclusion Self-reported functional impairments due to sleep loss significantly correlated with risk-taking propensity for those who identified themselves as part of the majority racial group but not for individuals who identified as part of a racial minority. Findings suggest that broad conclusions regarding the association between sleep disruption and risk-taking may not apply equally across racial/ethnic groups and such factors should be considered when evaluating studies of sleep and risk behaviors. Whether these differing effects are due to cultural factors or stable differences in biology is not known and will require additional research. Support W81XWH-14-1-0570