Childhood trauma may increase risk for insomnia in adulthood

Data presented at the SLEEP 2016 annual meeting indicated childhood trauma, including abuse, divorce and parental death, was associated with insomnia in adulthood.

“Good quality sleep is an important part of health. People who don't sleep well are more likely to have worse physical and mental health. In particular, insomnia can lead to decreased quality of life, increased rates of depression, and even increased risk of heart disease,” Michael Grandner, PhD, MTR, of the University of Arizona, said in a press release.

To assess associations between current insomnia status and childhood stressors, researchers analyzed data from the Sleep and Healthy Activity Diet Environment and Socialization (SHADES) study for 1,007 adults aged 22 to 60 years. Insomnia was determined via the Insomnia Severity Index and participants self-reported psychosocial stressors including child abuse, parental divorce, parental death, or having a parent diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

Childhood abuse was associated with mild (OR = 2.4; P < .0005) and moderate-severe (OR = 2.73; P < .0005) insomnia.

Divorce was associated with mild (OR = 1.57; P = .008) and moderate-severe (OR = 1.64; P = .014) insomnia.

Parental death was associated with moderate-severe insomnia (OR = 2; P = .009).

Parental depression was associated with mild (OR = 1.6; P = .01) and moderate-severe insomnia (OR = 1.66; P = .018).

Parental anxiety was associated with mild (OR = 1.69; P = .018) and moderate-severe insomnia (OR = 2.02; P = .006).

When accounting for all covariates and experiences, childhood abuse (OR = 2.24; P = .001) and divorce (OR = 1.47; P = .029) were predictors of mild insomnia, while moderate-severe insomnia was predicted by parental death (OR = 1.86; P = .022) and childhood abuse (OR = 2.44; P < .0005).

“The fact that events that happen during childhood can have an impact on sleep many years later can help us better understand how sleep is related to health and better target our efforts addressing sleep problems in the real world,” Karla Granados, an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona, said in the release. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Granados K, et al. Adverse childhood exposures associated with adult insomnia symptoms. Presented at: SLEEP 2016; June 11-15; Denver.

Disclosure: The SHADES study was funded by R21ES022931. Garndner reports receiving support from K23HL110216.