Adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual are at a higher risk of developing sleep problems compared to their straight counterparts, according to a new study published in the journal LGBT Health. The study analyzed data from more than 8,500 young people between the ages of 10 to 14, a critical time for physical and mental development. The research found that 35.1% of those who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported difficulty in falling or staying asleep in the previous two weeks compared to 13.5% of straight-identifying adolescents. Meanwhile, 30.8% of questioning youths, those who answered “maybe” to being gay, lesbian, or bisexual, also reported problems with getting a full night’s rest.
Lead author Jason M. Nagata, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that sleep is essential for a teenager’s health, and hormonal changes and growth spurts occur during sleep that aid in normal development. However, LGBTQ youths may face bullying and discrimination at school or conflicts at home that contribute to mental health issues, hindering their sleep.
Dr. Matthew Hirschtritt, a psychiatrist and researcher with Kaiser Permanente, who did not work on the study, suggested that poor sleep worsens mental health issues, and mental health issues exacerbate sleep problems, creating a vicious cycle. Insufficient sleep may also affect a teenager’s academic performance and worsen the school-based problems that LGBTQ youths already face, he added.
The study is the first to focus solely on gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths, but previous research has highlighted increased sleep issues among sexual minorities. Further research could identify other factors causing sleep disorders among queer youths. LGB kids experience more substance use than their peers, which can alter sleep cycles and impair sleep, said Nagata. Overstimulation and stress can also affect sleep, and gay youths use screens nearly four hours a day more than straight kids, according to separate research Nagata has worked on.
Nagata recommends establishing consistent sleep schedules, ensuring comfortable sleeping environments, and limiting exposure to electronic devices and social media before bed. Co-author Kyle T. Ganson, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, emphasized that parents can also help by being actively involved in their children’s lives, supporting their identities and any feelings they may be exploring, and understanding adolescent development.