Young gay men more than twice as likely to have trouble sleeping, study finds

According to a new study published in the journal LGBT Health.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 8,500 young people between the ages of 10 and 14, a critical period for mental and physical development. They found that 35.1% of those who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep in the previous two weeks, compared to 13.5% of self-identifying teenagers. as heterosexuals.

In addition, 30.8% of young people who asked questions—those who answered “maybe” to be gay, lesbian or bisexual—reported having difficulty getting a full night’s rest.

“Sleep is extremely important to an adolescent’s health,” said lead author Jason M. Nagata, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “There are growth spurts and hormonal changes that help you grow normally.”

Most children don’t get quality sleep to begin with, Nagata said, but LGBTQ youth may face bullying and discrimination at school or conflict at home that contributes to sexual issues. Mental Health.

These problems can prevent them from falling asleep or staying asleep.

“It’s likely that one feeds off the other – poor sleep worsening mental health issues and mental health issues worsening sleep,” said Dr. Matthew Hirschtritt, a psychiatrist and researcher at Kaiser Permanente who n didn’t work on the study.

Teens who don’t get enough sleep may also have difficulty completing schoolwork and meeting other academic challenges, Hirschtritt said, “which may exacerbate some of the academic issues that LGBT youth already face.”

Nagata’s team used data from 2018 to 2020 from the Study on the cognitive development of the adolescent brainwhich included questions for the subjects and their parents about their sleep habits.

Existing research Already points to an increase in sleep problems among sexual minorities, but Nagata said he thinks this is the first time young gay, lesbian and bisexual people have been the center of attention.

“It’s such an unstable time, both physically and mentally,” he said. “Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the opinions of their peers, so they are a group at high risk for mental health problems and suicide.”

Further research could shed light on other factors that fuel sleep disturbances in young gay men, he said.

“LGB children use more substances than their peers, for example, which can alter sleep cycles and impair sleep,” he said.

Overstimulation and stress can also affect sleep. Separate research Nagata worked on indicates that young gay people use screens an average of nearly four hours a day more than straight kids.

He recommends teens establish consistent sleep schedules, make sure their sleeping environment is comfortable, and limit their exposure to electronic devices and social media before bed.

Co-author Kyle T. Ganson, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, said parents can also help by being actively involved in their children’s lives and supporting their identity. and any feelings they might explore.

“The development of adolescence is a challenging time for many given the social pressures and physical, psychological and emotional changes that occur,” Ganson said in a statement. “Understanding this process and being there to support it is crucial for positive health outcomes.”