Sleep disturbance mediates the association of adverse childhood experiences with mental health symptoms and functional impairment in US soldiers

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; e.g., emotional and physical abuse, cohabitating with alcoholic or depressed relatives, etc.) can have a protracted impact on mental health outcomes (Waite & Shewokis, 2012). ACEs have been implicated in compromised mental health, including post-traumatic stress (PTS

Anxiety and its relationship with sleep disturbance and problematic smartphone use among Chinese medical students during COVID-19 home confinement — A structural equation model analysis

“…A previous study among Chinese university students revealed that smartphone addiction could play an indirect effect on poor sleep quality via poor self-regulation (Zhang and Wu, 2020), while another recent study found that smartphone addiction mediated the relation between negative affect and sleep quality (Li et al, 2020). Although there has been empirical evidence indicating sleep disturbance as a mediator between smartphone use before sleep and psychological distress (Lemola et al, 2015) and on the association between adverse childhood experiences and psychological health outcomes and deficit in functions (Conway et al, 2020), no existing literature has examined sleep disturbance as a mediator in the relationship between problematic smartphone use and anxiety. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence has accumulated showing a high rate of poor sleep quality, sleep loss, and insomnia among both the front-line medical staff (Lai et al, 2020; and the general public (Cellini et al, 2020).…”

Nonrestorative Sleep Mediates the Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Psychological Distress, Physical Health, Mental Health, and Activity Limitation: A Longitudinal Study for the General Population in Japan

“…A previous longitudinal study revealed that ACEs predict mental health issues and functional disability through sleep issues in soldiers 20 . Our study indicated that these associations can be applied to the general population.…”

“…However, there remains a gap in understanding the longitudinal mediation effects of ACEs on mental health, physical health, and activity, particularly using NRS. Notably, a longitudinal investigation involving soldiers exposed to combat situations delineated a pathway linking ACEs to mental health issues and functional impairment through sleep disturbances 20 . Yet, given the predominant young adult demographic and the unique health challenges inherent to combat exposure 20 , uncertainties persist regarding the generalizability of these ndings beyond this speci c cohort [21][22][23] .…”

“…Notably, a longitudinal investigation involving soldiers exposed to combat situations delineated a pathway linking ACEs to mental health issues and functional impairment through sleep disturbances 20 . Yet, given the predominant young adult demographic and the unique health challenges inherent to combat exposure 20 , uncertainties persist regarding the generalizability of these ndings beyond this speci c cohort [21][22][23] . Therefore, this study aimed to examine, using a longitudinal design in the general population, the hypothesis that four or more ACEs predict the presence of mental health, physical health, and activity issues via the presence of NRS.…”

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Impact on Sleep in Adults

“…In US veterans with combat experience, the presence of ACE negatively impacted their physical and mental well-being and reduced overall sleep efficiency. The female veterans experience a negative impact on sleep (Conway et al, 2020; McCauley et al, 2015). ACE also increases their odds of suffering from disability and smoking (adjusted OR [AOR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.18–2.88; with ACE: AOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.96–2.58) (Anda et al, 1999; McCauley et al, 2015).…”