Abstract
ObjectiveDiagnosed autism spectrum disorders have been associated with a high prevalence of sleep problems, other psychiatric disorders and social deficits in adolescence. However, little is known about the possible connection between subclinical autistic traits and sleep. This study explored whether adolescents with elevated levels of subclinical autistic traits are at heightened risk for sleep problems. MethodsThis study used data from the community cohort born in 1998. The sample consisted of 157 (57% girls) 17-year-old adolescents. Autistic traits were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale were utilized to control for comorbid psychiatric symptoms. Sleep was measured with actigraphy and sleep quality was self-rated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Associations between autistic traits and sleep were examined using logistic regression analysis. ResultsElevated levels of autistic traits were significantly associated with shorter weekday sleep duration. Moreover, autistic traits remained an independent predictor of short sleep duration when comorbid psychiatric symptoms were controlled for (OR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.03–1.26). ConclusionsThe results suggest that subclinical autistic traits should be considered as a possible underlying mechanism affecting adolescent sleep.
Highlights
Poor and insufficient sleep is a common finding among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [1e3]
No significant differences were observed in depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptom scores or in age, body mass index (BMI) or parental education between boys and girls
Boys had significantly shorter weekday total sleep time (p 1⁄4 0.011), longer weekday sleep latency (p 1⁄4 0.006), longer weekday wake after sleep onset (p 1⁄4 0.028) and poorer weekday sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) when compared to girls
Summary
Poor and insufficient sleep is a common finding among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [1e3]. Individuals with elevated levels of autistic traits but without a formal ASD diagnosis show more psychiatric difficulties [6e8], and may suffer from sleep problems. To the best of our knowledge, only one study [5] has investigated the associations between sleep and autistic traits in children (aged 7e9) and adolescents (aged 11e13) in the general population who have not had a formal ASD diagnosis. We provide the first insight into the associations between subclinical autistic traits and sleep in a specific adolescent age cohort
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