(077) Sleep Disparities in Sexual Minorities with Depression: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract:

Background:
Our study addresses the gap in understanding sleep health among adults with depressive episodes, where sleep disturbances are common. We primarily investigate sleep disorder prevalence among sexual and gender minorities (SGM), while also examining the influence of sociodemographic factors in this context.

Methods:
Our study analyzes data from the 2020-2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The initial sample was 90,927, with an analytical sample of 15,244 after restricting the analyses to people experiencing depressive episodes. All estimates were weighted to account for the multistage sampling design. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of all variables of interest, including tobacco and nicotine use, age, gender, ethnicity/race, income group, marital status, education, and the year of data collection. Then, to examine these relationships in a multivariable manner, we computed generalized linear models (using Poisson and log-link) to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios for each covariate.

Results:
Among participants with a history of depressive episodes, the majority identified as female (61.3%) and non-Hispanic White (71.3%). An estimated 82.3% of these individuals reported sleep difficulties in their lifetime. Within this subset, an estimated 4.63% (95% CI: 4.01-5.33) identified themselves as gay/lesbian, and an estimated 14.1% (95% CI: 13.0-15.2) as bisexual. Compared to heterosexuals, gay/lesbian individuals had 1.06 times the prevalence of sleep difficulties (p = 0.038), and bisexual individuals also had 1.06 times the prevalence of sleep difficulties (p = 0.009). Individuals who had completed a college degree or higher had 0.89 times lower prevalence of sleep difficulties compared to those who had not completed high school (p < 0.001). Finally, Hispanics had a 1.05 higher prevalence of sleep difficulties compared to non-Hispanic Whites (p = 0.015).

Conclusion:
The study reveals significant disparities in sleep quality among different subgroups of individuals with depressive episodes. Gay/lesbian or bisexual individuals exhibit higher rates of sleep difficulties compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between sleep difficulties and factors like ethnicity and educational attainment, suggesting a complex interplay of socio-demographic elements. These insights highlight the need for therapeutic strategies in mental health care that are cognizant of sexual orientation, educational background, and ethnicity.

References:
1. Butler, E. S., McGlinchey, E., & Juster, R.-P. (2019). Sexual and gender minority sleep: A narrative review and suggestions for future research. Journal of Sleep Research.

2. Charlotte J. Patterson, Sexual orientation and sleep difficulties: a review of research,Sleep Health, Volume 5, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 227-235, ISSN 2352-7218

3. Dustin T. Duncan, Poor sleep health and its association with mental health, substance use, and condomless anal intercourse among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, Sleep Health, Volume 2, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 316-321, ISSN 2352-7218

Presentation Eligibility: Not previously published or presented

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: This study contributes to understanding sleep health disparities among sexual minorities with depression, emphasizing the significance of inclusive mental health care. By analyzing a diverse cohort from the NSDUH, our research identifies critical sleep disorder prevalence linked to sexual orientation and socio-demographic factors. Our team, representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and disciplines, underscores the necessity of addressing unique health challenges faced by sexual minorities. Our findings advocate for tailored therapeutic strategies that consider sexual orientation, educational attainment, and ethnicity, promoting equitable health outcomes for all, regardless of their identity.