Prevalence and correlates of sleep disturbance among adolescents in the eastern seaboard of China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Sleep disturbances are serious public health issues that warrant increased attention, especially in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disorders among urban adolescents in China. Methods This study utilized an online survey to assess the demographic characteristics and mental health status of secondary school students in Lianyungang City. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to evaluate suicidal ideation and sleep disturbances in adolescents. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) assessed anxiety symptoms, and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) was used to measure perceived social support. Results Among 3443 adolescents, the prevalence of sleep disorders were 10.8%, with significantly higher proportions of sleep disorders (13.7% VS 8.3%, χ2 = 26.559, P < 0.001) among female adolescents when compared to males. Binary regression analysis revealed that suicidal ideation (OR = 2.558, 95% CI: 1.897–3.450, P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 9.899, 95% CI: 7.317–13.393, P < 0.001) were risk factors for sleep disturbances, and significant other support (OR = 0.940, 95% CI: 0.894–0.989, P = 0.016) and good annual household income (OR = 0.661, 95% CI: 0.396–0.943, P = 0.026) were protective factors. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that sex, suicidal ideation, anxiety symptoms, and parental relationship were associated with an elevated risk of experiencing more frequent sleep disturbances (all P < 0.05). Conclusions We have found that 10.8% of adolescents experience sleep disorders, and it is evident that various factors can influence healthy sleeping. These results underscore the significance of addressing these factors to enhance sleep health among this population.