Sleep difficulties and misuse of drugs/alcohol have been associated with suicidal ideation in young people. Using cross-sectional representative surveys of adolescents in the United States, we conducted adjusted logistic regression modeling to assess the relationships between sleep difficulties, substance use, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression (n = 38,418) between 2015 and 2020. Sleep difficulties were associated with thinking about (aOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.3–1.9), planning (aOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.6), or attempting (aOR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.5) suicide. In those reporting alcohol abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with attempting suicide (aOR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.2–8.5). In those reporting illicit drug abuse/dependence, sleep difficulties were associated with thinking about (aOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4.1) and attempting (aOR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–4.1) suicide.
Exploring sleep difficulties, alcohol, illicit drugs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression
Psychiatry Research, 340, 116116. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116116. PMCID: PMC11371486.