Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Sleep Disturbances Among Asian Indians: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Substantial comorbidity exists between posttraumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbances/disorders. Such comorbidities are understudied in minority groups, including Asian Indians residing in countries outside India. Thus, we synthesized the existing literature specific to this group of Asian Indians to determine (a) prevalence estimates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbances/disorders; and (b) PTSD-sleep comorbidity estimates. For this systematic review, we searched four databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, PTSDpubs, Web of Science) using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Of 3,796 screened articles, 9 articles (10 studies) met inclusion criteria. Study sample sizes ranged from 11 to 2,112 Asian Indians; studies were conducted in Singapore or Malaysia. No reviewed study examined PTSD. All studies examined sleep disturbances/disorders among Asian Indians; prevalence estimates were: 8.3% to 70.4% for short sleep duration, 2.0% to 22.9% for long sleep duration, 25.9% to 56.3% for poor sleep quality, 3.4% to 67.5% for insomnia diagnosis or probable insomnia, 7.7% for excessive daytime sleepiness, 3.8% to 54.6% for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis or high OSA risk, and 5.1% to 11.1% for sleep-disordered breathing. Specific to Asian Indians residing in countries outside India, this review advances PTSD-sleep literature by (a) suggesting substantial prevalence of sleep disturbances/disorders; (b) highlighting the need for culturally relevant sleep interventions; and (c) highlighting research gaps (e.g., no PTSD-focused research).

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and mental health treatment parameters among Asian Indians residing in the United States.

“…In response to such traumatic events, Asian Indians report posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms such as intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and arousal (Dolan et al, 2022;Gilmoor et al, 2019). Although there are no nationwide estimates of PTSD prevalence rates among Asian Indians in the United States (Contractor et al, 2022(Contractor et al, , 2023, a recent study indicates a high prevalence rate of probable PTSD among Asian Indians living in India during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 41%; Georgieva, et al, 2021). Given the underutilization of mental health services (Le Meyer et al, 2009) and the burden of untreated PTSD (Tummala-Narra, 2007) among Asian Indians in the United States, it is important to understand if and how PTSD symptoms relate to help-seeking barriers for mental health services and psychotherapy preferences.…”