The direction of the relationship between symptoms of insomnia and psychiatric disorders in adolescents

AuthorsAlvaro, PK.
Roberts, RM.
Harris JK.
Bruni, O.
TypeJournal Article (Original Research)
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Year of Publication2017
URLhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27723540
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.032
AbstractBACKGROUND:
This study assessed the direction of the relationship between symptoms of insomnia disorder, depression, various anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adolescents after controlling for age, gender, chronotype, and outcome variable at baseline.
METHODS:
Data was collected in eight high schools in Adelaide, South Australia, at two time-points approximately 6 months apart. The study was completed by 318 and 255 high school students at baseline and follow-up, respectively, aged 12-18 (M=14.96, SD=1.34) in grades 7-11 at baseline. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess each relationship, the first model controlling for age, gender and chronotype, and the second controlling for outcome variable at baseline.
RESULTS:
Insomnia symptoms predicted and were predicted by symptoms of each psychiatric disorder in model 1. In model 2, insomnia symptoms predicted symptoms of depression, and vice-versa. Symptoms of insomnia also predicted symptoms of separation anxiety disorder (SAD) once SAD, but not vice-versa, in model 2. Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social phobia (SP) predicted symptoms of insomnia disorder in model 2, but not vice-versa. Insomnia symptoms were no longer related to symptoms of other anxiety disorders in model 2.
LIMITATIONS:
The use of self-report measures, and potential predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating or preventative factors were not assessed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Symptoms of insomnia disorder are bidirectionally related to depressive symptoms independent from baseline symptoms, and unidirectionally related to symptoms of OCD and SP where OCD and SP are independent risk-factors of the development of insomnia symptoms.

http://www.ibas.org.au/what-we-do/publications/3872889


< More publications



Respiratory Biomarkers in Motor Neurone DiseaseRESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...

CHEST-MND:PROCHEST-MND:PRO

Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....

ResearchFest 2026RESEARCHFEST 2026

ResearchFest 2026 at Austin Health launched new research flagships and honored Professor Mark Howard (Distinguished Scientist) and Professor Eliza Hawkes (Women in Research Award), with insights from Peter Doherty.

Championing Sleep Research!CHAMPIONING SLEEP RESEARCH!

We are announcing exciting updates to our Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) representation at the Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS). The MSRC extend a warm thank you to Charissa Zaga and welcome Jessica Manousakis!

ANZSRS Life Membership for Danny BrazzaleANZSRS LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR DANNY BRAZZALE

Danny Brazzale has earned a prestigious ANZSRS Life Membership—held by only 11 people—for his global leadership and dedicated mentorship in respiratory science.

Perth Highlights: TSANZSRS 2026PERTH HIGHLIGHTS: TSANZSRS 2026

A huge congratulations to all our team members who participated in the excellent workshops and meetings at the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth in March 2026! Well Done!

Institute for Breathing and Sleep

Level 5, Harold Stokes Building, Austin Health
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084

(03) 9496 5390

Email Us

Donate