Examining racial/ethnic disparities in the association between adolescent sleep and alcohol or marijuana use

ObjectivesThe current study examines the association between self-reported measures of trouble sleeping, total sleep time (TST), and bedtimes and odds of past month alcohol and marijuana (AM) use in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents.DesignThis is a Web-based cross-sectional survey.SettingThe setting is in Los Angeles County, CA.ParticipantsThe sample is composed of 2539 youth representing 4 distinct racial/ethnic categories (non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, Asian, and “other”; mean age, 15.54; 54.23% female) from Los Angeles.MeasurementsThe survey assessed TST and bedtimes (weekdays and weekends), trouble sleeping, and past month AM use as well as relevant covariates (sociodemographics and mental health symptoms).ResultsAlthough there were significant racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of sleep problems and AM use, the associations between sleep problems and AM use were consistent across racial/ethnic groups. Specifically, shorter TST, later bedtimes, and trouble sleeping were each associated with significantly higher odds of past month alcohol use, whereas later bedtimes and shorter TST were also associated with increased odds of past month marijuana use, even after adjusting for other known risk factors.ConclusionsSleep problems are associated with increased AM use in teens, even after controlling for sociodemographics and mental health symptoms. Further longitudinal research on sleep and AM use is critical to identify novel prevention and intervention efforts to reduce disparities in the relationship between sleep and AM use.