327 Developmental Trajectories of Insomnia and Risk of Internalizing Disorders in Young Adulthood

Abstract

Introduction

Internalizing disorders (ID) are the most common form of psychopathology and a large proportion of individuals experience their first onset after the age of 18. Childhood insomnia symptoms, i.e., difficulties initiating or maintaining sleep (DIMS), have been shown to be associated with ID. However, little is known about the developmental trajectories of insomnia symptoms and their associated risk of ID as the child transitions into adulthood. The present study examined the risk of ID in young adulthood associated with the longitudinal trajectories of insomnia symptoms across three developmental stages.

Methods

The Penn State Child Cohort is a population-based sample of 700 children (Mdn=9y), who were followed-up 8 years later as adolescents (N=421, Mdn=16y) and 15 years later as young adults (N=492, Mdn=24y). Insomnia symptoms were defined as parent-reported (childhood) or self-reported (adolescence and young adulthood) moderate-to-severe DIMS. The developmental trajectories of insomnia symptoms across the three time-points were identified as never, remitted, waxing-and-waning, persistent and incident. The presence of ID was defined as a self-report of a diagnosis or treatment for mood and/or anxiety disorders. Cox regression models were adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, age and childhood/adolescent history of ID or psychoactive medication use.

Results

A persistent developmental trajectory was associated with a 2.8-fold increased risk of adult ID (HR=2.83, 95%CI=1.79–4.49) and an incident trajectory with a 1.9-fold risk (HR=1.88, 95%CI=1.10–3.20), while a waxing-and-waning trajectory was marginally associated with adult ID (HR=1.70, 95%CI=0.99–2.91). A remitting trajectory was not associated with an increased risk of adult ID (HR=0.92, 95%CI=0.38–2.24).

Conclusion

This 15-year longitudinal study with three developmental stages shows that childhood-onset insomnia symptoms that persist across the life-course are strong determinants of ID in young adulthood, independent of past diagnosis or medication use. In contrast, childhood insomnia symptoms that remit in the transition to adolescence do not confer increased risk of ID in young adulthood. Given that insomnia symptoms may precipitate and/or maintain ID, these data further reinforce the need for early sleep interventions to prevent mental health disorders.

Support (if any)

NIH Awards Number R01HL136587, R01MH118308, R01HL97165, R01HL63772, UL1TR000127