Citation

Liu ZZ, Tein JY, Jia CX, Liu X. Sleep Med. 2020; 77: 29-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.015

PMID

33307303

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Frequent nightmares and depression are associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents. Little is known about the mediating role of depression in the nightmare-NSSI link. This study explores the longitudinal mediating effect of depression on the relationship between frequent nightmares and NSSI as well as the moderating effect of gender using a three-wave longitudinal design.

METHODS: Participants were adolescents from the Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort who were surveyed at baseline, 1 year later, and 2 years later. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure nightmare frequency, depression, and NSSI. Structural equation modeling and multiple-group analysis were used to test the mediating effect of depression and the moderating effect of gender. Covariates included demographics and earlier measures of depression and NSSI.

RESULTS: Among 6995 participants, 3399 (48.6%) were females, mean age was 14.86 (SD = 1.50) years at baseline. Frequent nightmares had a significant mediation effect on NSSI through depression (Bab = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02-0.10) after controlling for demographics and earlier measures of depression and NSSI. Gender had no significant moderating effect on the nightmare-NSSI association.

LIMITATIONS: All data were collected by self-report.

CONCLUSIONS: The association between frequent nightmares and NSSI in adolescents was partially mediated by depression. Frequent nightmares and depression should be assessed and treated to prevent self-harm in adolescents.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Depression; Non-suicidal self-injury; Nightmares; Mediation