Trauma exposure and associated sleep problems in Black adolescent and young adult students attending an alternative high school.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1037/tra0001534
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Given the dearth of literature examining the link between trauma exposure and sleep among youth and young adults of color, the current study examined the association between individual types of trauma exposure, accumulation within subtypes of trauma exposure, and overall cumulative trauma exposure with sleep problems in a sample of Black students attending an alternative high school.
METHOD: Participants were recruited from an alternative high school in a large, southeastern city in the United States, of which all students qualify for free/reduced lunch. The sample included 101 students (53% female) ages 16-24 (M = 17.86 years, SD = 1.36) who identified as Black.
RESULTS: Participants reported a high rate of trauma exposure (M = 6.03 unique traumatic experiences, SD = 2.63). Linear regression models showed that exposure to more overall cumulative trauma and to interpersonal loss was significantly associated with higher levels of insomnia symptoms. Threats to health were significantly related to daytime sleepiness. Other threats to safety were associated with restless legs syndrome symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Adolescence and young adulthood are a time of complex sleep-related issues. Black youth and young adults have elevated risk of trauma exposure and sleep problems; therefore, targeted assessment and intervention are warranted. Clinicians and researchers addressing sleep in youth and young adults, and those working within alternative school settings, should also consider a trauma-informed lens to optimize outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Journal Title
Psychol Trauma
Volume
16
Issue
2
First Page
233
Last Page
241
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Adolescent; Female; Young Adult; United States; Adult; Male; Schools; Students; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Keywords
Schools; Students; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Recommended Citation
Rubens SL, Miller MA, Zeringue MM, Hambrick EP, Chakawa A, Perez T. Trauma exposure and associated sleep problems in Black adolescent and young adult students attending an alternative high school. Psychol Trauma. 2024;16(2):233-241. doi:10.1037/tra0001534
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