Citation

Hysing M, Sivertsen B, Stormark KM, O'Connor RC. Br. J. Psychiatry 2015; 207(4): 306-312.

Affiliation

Mari Hysing, PhD, PsyD, The Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway; Børge Sivertsen, PhD, PsyD, The Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway, Division of Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, and Department of Psychiatry, HelseFonna HF, Haugesund, Norway; Kjell Morten Stormark, PhD, PsyD, The Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Bergen, and Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway; Rory C. O'Connor, PhD, CPsychol, FAcSS, Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.114.146514

PMID

26206862

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough self-harm and sleep problems are major public health problems in adolescence, detailed epidemiological assessment is essential to understand the nature of this relationship.AimsTo conduct a detailed assessment of the relationship between sleep and self-harm in adolescence.

METHODA large population-based study in Norway surveyed 10 220 adolescents aged 16-19 years on mental health, including a comprehensive assessment of sleep and self-harm.

RESULTSAdolescents with sleep problems were significantly more likely to report self-harm than those without sleep problems. Insomnia, short sleep duration, long sleep onset latency, wake after sleep on set as well as large differences between weekdays versus weekends, yielded higher odds of self-harm consistent with a dose-response relationship. Depressive symptoms accounted for some, but not all, of this association.

CONCLUSIONSThe findings highlight a strong relationship between sleep problems and self-harm. Interventions to reduce adolescent self-harm ought to incorporate sleep problems as a treatment target.

Language: en