Sleep health of young adults in Western Australia and associations with physical and mental health: A population-level cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis article aims to report on the sleep health characteristics of a population-level sample of young Australian adults and examine associations with measures of physical and mental health. MethodsA cross-sectional study using data from the Raine Study. Data from participants (n = 1234) born into the study (Generation 2) at the 22-year follow-up were used, including data from a self-report questionnaire and polysomnography. ResultsThe highest prevalence of suboptimal sleep health was seen on measures of sleep duration (30%), onset latency (18%), satisfaction (25%) and regularity (60%). Dissatisfaction with sleep (physical health: β =0.08; mental health: β =0.34) and impaired daytime alertness (physical health: β =0.09; mental health: β =0.08) were significantly associated with poorer physical and mental health and inadequate polysomnography-measured sleep duration was associated poorer mental health (β =0.07) (all ps<0.05). ConclusionsSatisfaction with sleep and daytime alertness, both of which are assessed via self-report, are essential aspects of sleep health for young adults. Implications for public healthFindings could inform public health interventions, including screening guidelines, to improve the sleep health and, in turn, the physical and mental health of young adults in Australia.