Sleep disturbance as a risk factor for non suicidal self injury and suicidal behaviour in youth

Introduction: Converging evidence identifies sleep disturbance as an evidence-based risk factor for suicidal behaviour. This relationship has not yet been systematically evaluated in association with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Research is warranted among adolescents given increased vulnerability to sleep disturbances and high risk of suicide attempts. The current investigation sought to examine sleep disturbances among youth with 1) no history of self-directed violence (SDV) (controls), 2) history of NSSI, or 3) history of a suicide attempt (SA).Methods: N=1046 high school students (aged 15–17; 53% female) completed self-report surveys of SDV (with and without suicidal intent), depression, and a range of sleep parameters using: The Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI; Insomnia symptoms), Disturbing Dreams and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), Munch Chronotype Questionnaire (MCQ; sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), chronotype), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Consistent with suicidal ideation findings, sleep disturbance were hypothesized to be greater among both SDV groups relative to those without such a history. ANCOVA analyses (including HADS as a planned covariate) were employed to examine differences between groups.Results: Youth in groups endorsing past SDV (NSSI=12.2%, SA=5.6%) scored Significantly lower on the SCI (p