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Alcohol use linked to insomnia in youth
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Frequency of alcohol use was associated with insomnia among adolescents, according to recent findings.
“Parents, educators and therapists should consider insomnia to be a risk marker for alcohol use and alcohol use a risk marker for insomnia, among early adolescents,” Naomi Marmorstein, PhD, of Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, said in a press release.
To assess associations between sleep patterns and problems with alcohol use in adolescents, researchers assessed self-reports from 127 youth who participated in the Camden Youth Development Study. Study participants had a mean age of 13.2 years. Teacher reports on ADHD were also assessed.
Initial insomnia and daytime sleepiness, but not irregular sleep or disturbed sleep, were associated with frequency of alcohol use.
After adjusting for each form of psychopathology and parental monitoring, the association between initial insomnia and alcohol use remained significant.
“Initial insomnia is associated with alcohol use among young adolescents, even once certain potential moderators are adjusted for,” Marmorstein wrote. “Longitudinal research examining the direction of effect, as well as research examining other possible mediators and moderators, would be useful and could lead to prevention and/or intervention strategies.” – by Amanda Oldt
Disclosures: Marmorstein reports no relevant financial disclosures.