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311714
Sexual minority status and sleep problems among young adults in the United States
Monday, November 17, 2014
Elbert Almazan, PhD
,
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
Michael Roettger, PhD
,
Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Objective: Exposure to stressors can lead to sleep problems. Considering that sexual minorities experience many stressors because of their sexual orientation, sexual minorities may report more sleep problems than heterosexuals. In our study, we examined whether sexual minority status is associated with sleep problems among young adults ages 24 to 34 in the United States. Method: We analyzed data from Wave IV (2007-2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. We employed logistic regression models in the analysis. Results: Sexual minority young adults reported greater odds for having trouble falling sleep, staying asleep during the night, and snoring or stopping breathing during sleep compared to heterosexual young adults. Conclusions: Sexual minority status is associated with sleep problems among young adults. Future research should identify stressors that place sexual minority young adults at greater risk for sleep problems than heterosexual young adults.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Discuss that sexual minority young adults are at greater risk for sleep problems than heterosexual young adults in the United States.
Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an assistant professor in sociology at Central Michigan University. I conduct research on the health and well-being of LGBT persons using population data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
