Severe sleep disturbances in preadolescents, particularly nightmares and excessive daytime sleepiness, were found to increase the risk of suicidal behaviors by 2.7 times within two years, according to a cohort study analyzing 10,136 youths.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined the association between sleep disturbances in preadolescents and the risk of suicidal behaviors by age 12. A total of 8,807 participants, who had no reported suicidal ideation or behavior at baseline, completed the follow-up. The average age of the participants was 9.9 years, with 51.2% (4,507) being male. Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study were analyzed, with assessments of sleep disturbances made at age 10 and suicidal ideation or attempts at age 12.

The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children was used to assess sleep disturbances. The analyses were adjusted for anxiety, depression, family conflict, and parental monitoring. At the two-year follow-up, 91.3% of participants reported no suicidal behaviors, while 3.6% experienced passive suicidal ideation, 2.9% (258 participants) reported active nonspecific suicidal ideation, 1.5% (130 participants) reported active specific suicidal ideation, and 0.7% attempted suicide for the first time.

Severe sleep disturbances, especially nightmares and excessive daytime somnolence, were associated with a significantly increased risk of suicidal behaviors. Children with severe sleep disturbances had 2.7 times greater odds (odds ratio [OR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-4.98) of suicidal ideation or suicide attempt within two years. Participants who experienced occasional nightmares had 74% higher odds (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.07-2.85) of exhibiting suicidal behaviors, while those with daily nightmares had more than five times the odds (OR, 5.46; 95% CI, 1.42-21.04).

Full disclosures can be found in the published study.