Sleep disturbance and suicidal ideation mediated by psychotic-like experiences in adolescents: a two-wave longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract Study Objectives Sleep disturbance may cause suicidal ideation (SI). This study aimed to examine their co-occurrence rate among adolescents and investigate whether psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) mediate this association. Methods A total of 17 722 Chinese adolescents were included in this two-wave longitudinal study. The baseline survey (time 1, T1) was conducted between April 21 and May 12, 2021, and the follow-up survey (time 2, T2) was implemented between December 17 and 26, 2021. At T1, participants completed questionnaires to assess their sleep disturbance, sleep duration, PLEs, SI, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics. At T2, participants reported their PLEs, SI, and negative life events. Results The SI prevalence decreased from 20.2% (T1) to 18.4% (T2). Participants with SI showed significantly higher prevalence of sleep disturbance and short sleep duration compared to those without SI. Baseline sleep disturbance and short sleep duration were both associated with the increased risk of SI 6 months later. These longitudinal links were mediated by PLEs, independent of baseline covariates and negative life events. Conclusions These findings provide a novel insight into the mechanism linking sleep problems and suicidality, and stress the significance of assessing and addressing sleep problems and PLEs for adolescent suicide prevention and intervention.