Disengagement coping and sleep problems among trauma-exposed adolescents

ABSTRACT

Background

The formation of healthy sleep patterns is a critical component of positive adolescent development. Dysregulated sleep habits can put youth at risk for the development of a multitude of inimical outcomes, particularly among those who are exposed to a traumatic event.

Design and methods

The present study investigated the links between voluntary disengagement coping (e.g., avoidance, denial, wishful thinking) and sleep outcomes among 86 trauma-exposed and non-exposed adolescents between the ages of 12–17 (M_age = 15.44, SD = 1.51; 41.9% female).

Results

The relationship between voluntary disengagement coping and sleep outcomes was significant only among trauma-exposed adolescents, such that greater use of voluntary disengagement strategies was associated with greater sleep disturbances and greater daytime dysfunction.

Conclusions

Targeting disengagement coping may be an important strategy to improve sleep health among trauma-exposed adolescents. Continued efforts in improving the efficacy of trauma-exposed adolescent intervention strategies are needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Trauma exposure
• stress responding
• disengagement coping
• sleep problems
• adolescence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Complying with ethics of experimentation

The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines including informed consent and assent and received approval by the University of Arkansas Institutional Review Board.

Data availability statement

Materials and data for this study are available by emailing the corresponding authors.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Research Service Award (F31 AA018589) awarded to Heidemarie Blumenthal.