0963 An Investigation of Sleep Disturbance, Depression, and Anxiety Among Emerging Adults

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbances are highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders. Data indicates high comorbidity rates between insomnia and depression and anxiety disorders. However, limited data exist regarding whether sleep disturbance is an independent risk factor for or outcome of psychiatric disorders among emerging adults. This study explored relationships between insomnia, depression, and generalized anxiety. Methods Data were obtained from emerging adults (N=105; Mean age=20.28 (SD=1.9); 81% Female) who completed self-report measures. The Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) assessed for the presence and intensity of overall depressive symptoms. A cutoff score of greater than 20 was derived to determine probable depression. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale assessed for severity and diagnosis of GAD. A cutoff score of 10 or greater was used to determine probable GAD. The Insomnia Severity Index assessed for the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia symptoms, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 29. Results Approximately 36.2% of the sample had probable depression and 37.1% of the sample had probable generalized anxiety disorder. Data showed significant correlations between insomnia severity and probable depression (rpb=.316 p.001) and generalized anxiety disorder (rpb=.449, p.001), respectively. Linear regressions indicated that depressive symptoms (R2=.266, p.001) and generalized anxiety symptoms (R2=.301, p.001) were significant predictors for insomnia severity, respectively. Data also showed that insomnia severity significantly predicted depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms (R2=.355, p.001), with insomnia being a stronger predictor for generalized anxiety symptoms (β=.374, p.001) than depressive symptoms (β=.291, p=.004). Logistic regressions indicated that insomnia severity increased the odds of having both probable depression (X2=9.54, OR=1.14, p=.002) and generalized anxiety disorder (X2=17.30, OR=1.23, p.001). Conclusion Findings suggest that insomnia severity is a risk factor for both depressive and generalized anxiety symptom severity and probable diagnoses. Data also indicated that depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms were independent risk factors for insomnia severity. Given the results, longitudinal studies are needed to understand whether there is a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbance, depression, and generalized anxiety among emerging adults. Support (if any) This study was funded by a Center Grant from the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (Grant # P20GM103653).